The Vintage Book of Classic Crime

The great Raymond Chandler once noted that "the detective or mystery story . . . has become so thoroughly explored that the real problem for a writer now is to avoid writing a mystery while appearing to do so." And that is precisely what the contributors in this masterful anthology have accomplished. For in The Vintage Book of Classic Crime, Michael Dibdin has assembled fifty-four of the most stylish, original and subversive examples of the literature of murder.

Whether written by eminent practitioners such as James M. Cain or Dashiell Hammett, or distinguished "amateurs" like Ernest Hemingway or Franz Kafka, the stories, essays, and novel excerpts in this volume push past their genre's familiar conventions to explore what makes crime CRIME. Suspenseful and exhilarating, hard-boiled and high art, the result is a dazzling gallery of murder that reveals how daring and controversial crime writing can be.

Contributors and stories include: James M. Cain, "The Postman Always Rings Twice"' Raymond Chandler, "Pick-up on Noon Street"; Anton Chekhov, "The Shooting Party"; Umberto Eco; William Faulkner, "Smoke"; Dashiell Hammett, "The Glass Key"; Ernest Hemingway, "The Killers"; George V. Higgins, "Trust"; Patricia Highsmith, "Strangers on a Train"; P.D. James and T.A. Critchley, "The Maul and the Pear Tree"; James Joyce; Franz Kafka; Elmore Leonard; Walter Mosley, "A Red Death"; Edgar Allan Poe,"The Tell-tale Heart"; Georges Simenon, "Maiget's Memoirs"; Isaac Bashevis Singer, "Under the Knife"; Julian Symons, "The Man Who Killed Himself"; Barbara Vine, "A Dark-Adapted Eye"; James Thurber; Oscar Wilde, "The Picture of Dorian Gray"; and Emile Zola, "Therese Raquin."

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