To Crown It All

Lady Georgiana Rannoch never expected to be more than a guest at the coronation of King Edward VIII but murder and some international intrigue make for a change of plans…

One of the most daunting things about being related to the royal family but not being royalty myself is finding just the right ensemble for incredibly important events like the coronation. The process has become especially difficult as my maid has fallen ill and I am now relying on Queenie for everything—well almost everything. We do have a lovely new nanny with whom my son James is quite smitten.

My concerns about gowns and Queenie-related disasters are put aside when I receive a worrisome letter from my mother. She seems anxious to see me and is missing her grandson-not at all like her! Darcy and I read between the lines only to discover a coded plea for help. We decide the best way to get Mummy away from Hitler and his cronies is to secure her an invitation to the coronation and have her stay at Eynsleigh along with our other guests for the big event.

Two complications quickly arise. A stern member of the German government has arrived with Mummy who seems to be watching her-and our-every move. And then I unexpectedly find myself involved in the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Well, that solves my worry about what I should wear as I will be outfitted by Buckingham Palace for the festivities. But with a house full of visitors for the big event, Darcy receives word that the ceremony itself, and all of the royal attendees are under threat. And to make matters immeasurably worse, one of my esteemed house guests is found quite dead in their bed.

Darcy and I must find a killer and prevent a terrible tragedy all while I do my best to avoid any embarrassing mishaps at the coronation, as quite literally, the world will be watching!

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