The Carlton Girls #1: Casey and the Cruel Thief

Only Murders in the Building meets The Swifts in the first installment of this cozy whodunit mystery series.

Most people would kill to live in a glamorous New York City high-rise on the Upper West Side. Not Casey. She hates her daily morning elevator ride to school. Why? Because she's forced to stand shoulder to shoulder with her two ex–best friends, a way too bubbly new girl, and a very chatty old lady named Grandma Williams. Who cares if Grandma Williams tells hilarious stories, or if the bubbly new girl wants to be besties? Casey doesn't want to be friends with anyone—she already lost two of them.

But things on the Carlton Towers elevator start to get strange. One of her ex–best friends bursts into tears and admits that a family heirloom has disappeared. Wallets and jewelry start vanishing into thin air. And then, the worst happens: Grandma Williams goes missing.

It seems like there's a thief—and a kidnapper!—on the loose. And the girls on the elevator soon realize that they are the only ones who can stop the dangerous criminal before it's too late.

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