Save the Date for Murder

Love—and murder—are in the air in the third installment of the Starlit Bookshop mysteries from Agatha Award-winning author Cynthia Kuhn.

Wedding bells are ringing in the cozy mountain town of Silvercrest, Colorado. Bookseller and literary event planner Emma Starrs is helping her newly engaged sister Lucy design the day of her dreams. They hope to take inspiration from two local celebrity weddings held during Valentine’s week, until Winnie Claxton, wedding planner extraordinaire, is found dead at the reception of the first ceremony, sending the second into peril.

The bride is a friend of Lucy’s and, at her insistence, Emma agrees to take over the Romeo-and-Juliet-themed affair. Yet Hannah Fallon and Clay Hartson’s imminent nuptials are not Emma’s only problem. During the week of the celebration, one problem after another threatens to ruin the activities—and even puts the lives of the bridal party at stake.

It soon becomes clear that someone is trying to prevent Hannah and Clay from tying the knot. Searching for answers while dealing with sabotage and keeping events on track is quite a challenge, but Emma vows to solve the case before this love affair ends in tragedy.

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.

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