Slay it by Ear

Lise Bloom has a discerning nose. But she isn’t just good at recognizing vintage perfumes or fragrant flowers—she can also sniff out jealousy, greed, and other motives for murder . . .

A ghost-hunting team is filming at Corrie House, the decrepit Victorian mansion where Lise lives with her roommates in Astoria, Oregon. She suspects the reality show is a scam, but with her gift of clairalience—the ability to smell emotion—she’s picked up strange aromas that suggest the house is genuinely haunted. It also needs a new roof, so the money from the show is hard to turn down.

Lise and her housemates recount their spooky experiences for the camera. Then comes a surprise: A man, introduced as a descendant of the sea captain who built the house, enters the room.

It seems Lise’s home has a mysterious, scandalous history—one that echoes her own murky past. By the second night of filming, trouble is in the air. While a snooty neighbor complains that Corrie House is an eyesore, the seaman’s great-grandson appears quite fond of it . . . and openly covetous. Meanwhile, there’s major tension between the show’s host and his cameraman.

But the TV crew’s departure doesn’t dispel the malevolent mood. And when the women make a shocking discovery in the house, it’ll take both detection skills and sixth-sense talents to find the truth.

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