The Diplomats

When her ex-husband reappears after decades of being presumed dead, a foreign diplomat will have to unravel the mystery of what really happened on the fateful night that ripped them apart, from the New York Times bestselling author of An Infinite Love Story

Julia Winters joined the foreign service at the height of the Cold War, when the opportunities for an adventurous woman fluent in several languages were filled with possibility. After twenty years of countless overseas postings, Julia is given her final assignment. It will be a sunset on a career filled with equal parts success and scandal, thanks to a passionate and tumultuous romance with the charming and enigmatic diplomat David Murphy—a love that ended in disaster.

But when Julia returns to Washington, D.C., where her career began, she starts receiving cryptic letters that suggest that the Soviets are in possession of a mysterious machine that slips the bounds of time and could tip the balance of the Cold War in their favor—the very machine David allegedly died trying to uncover nearly two decades ago.

While questioning everything she thought she knew, Julia must race against time to find the machine, bring her ex-husband back from the past, save the world from a dangerous weapon, and undo the one decision she’s always regretted—walking away from the love of her life.

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