The Butler

At a lavish villa in Northern Italy, a very prim British butler finds himself immersed in a very messy murder in this deliciously twisting novel of psychological suspense from the 2-time Lefty Award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of Devil’s Chew Toy and the Harriet Morrow Investigates novels.

The modern butler lives by a code: Whatever is required, whatever is desired. Whether that involves a perfect margarita, a crisply ironed shirt, or a sit-down banquet for dozens, he does it all—with discretion. I should know. Clive Humphrey, butler par excellence, at your service . . .

My current task: to help settle New York-based billionaires Leo and Allison Armstrong and their two young daughters into their lavish new summer home. Palatial Villa Serena lives up to its name—a breathtaking, tranquil residence with views of Lake Como and the majestic mountains beyond, every inch speaks of luxury. For the next 4 months, it will be my professional domain.

Unfortunately, not everyone at Villa Serena is as devoted as I am to preserving peace and family harmony.

The staff includes a morose nanny, a gossipy housekeeper, a gorgeous but lazy gardener, and an abrasive new chef. Then there is Mrs. Armstrong’s rough-around-the-edges sister, Amber, who has long outstayed her welcome. But nothing I learned at the British Butler Academy prepared me for the dark turn of events that follow a sumptuous dinner party. In its aftermath, I’ll face the greatest challenge of my career: to unravel a mystery and protect the Armstrongs from ruinous scandal.

Yet who better to watch, unobserved, and glean information? Anticipating others’ motivations and desires is what I’ve dedicated my life to doing. Still, even a man trusted to safeguard his clients’ secrets may harbor his own . . .

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