CROOKED LANE BOOKS
Murder on Thin Ice
Murder on Thin Ice
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ABOUT
A small-town bookmobile librarian and her rescue cat refuse to go by the book when an elderly patron’s body is found at the bottom of a small lake.
It’s winter in northwest lower Michigan, which means librarian Minnie Niswander and her cat, Eddie, are staying cozy in the bookmobile. But not everything is as it should be.
When an elderly housebound patron, Gerald Arnold, fails to answer his door, Minnie knows something is wrong. Her fears are confirmed when the police discover Gerald’s body beneath the surface of a small frozen lake.
Minnie knows that the kind and cautious Gerald would never have been so careless as to fall through the ice, and she suspects foul play. But law enforcement rules the old man’s death an accident, and Minnie knows she will have to take the investigation into her own hands.
As she and Eddie dig deeper, Minnie is troubled to learn that Gerald—and many of her friends—had been suspects in a decades-old cold case. Were the two murders connected? If so, it looks like justice is long overdue.
STANDARD, PRIMARY, DM AND VARIANT COVERS
Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.
In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.
The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.
PRODUCT TYPES
Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:
Omnibus
- Large, hardcover collections
- Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
- Typically 800-1000+ pages
- Higher price point, often €100-€150
Oversized Hardcover (OHC)
- Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
- Collect shorter runs or story arcs
- Usually 300-600 pages
- Priced between €30-€50
Hardcover (HC)
- Standard-sized hardcover books
- Collect 6-12 issues typically
- Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
- Priced around €25-€35
Trade Paperback (TP)
- Softcover collections
- Standard comic book size
- Usually collect 4-6 issues
- Most affordable option, typically €15-€25
Other Formats
- Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
- Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
- Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues
The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs