Sleuthing with the Stars

Sedona, Arizona’s Next Chapter bookstore is a haven for Rarity Cole, who’s survived cancer and started an exciting second act in her life. With a film festival about to open in town, she has two big author events lined up—but after a live appearance, one of them winds up very unalive . . .

Business is booming as an Olympic cyclist and a famous filmmaker come to town for a film festival and schedule signings at Rarity’s bookshop. Luckily, her former employee Darby is back from Scotland and ready to help out. But just as the filmmaker's cult classic starts to roll, Rarity finds him dead . . .

Rarity is naturally an introvert who prefers escaping into a good book with her affectionate Yorkie by her side. But her bout with serious illness has taught her that life is precious. With help from her friends, her coworkers, and her sweetheart, Archer, she’s determined to untangle the web of secrets and lies surrounding the director’s death, and find out who wanted him out of the picture . . .

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