The points of issue
UK Viking first, 1987, with the 'First published 1987' statement on the copyright page and a complete number line; written by Ruth Rendell as Barbara Vine. Won the 1987 CWA Gold Dagger.
Is this the true first?
The UK Viking 1987 edition is the true first; the US Bantam 1987 edition is a first-thus.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
BCA and other book-club editions, and any later impression, are not the first edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Fatal Inversion a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: UK Viking first, 1987, with the 'First published 1987' statement on the copyright page and a complete number line; written by Ruth Rendell as Barbara Vine. Won the 1987 CWA Gold Dagger.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The UK Viking 1987 edition is the true first; the US Bantam 1987 edition is a first-thus.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
BCA and other book-club editions, and any later impression, are not the first edition.
I have a first edition of A Fatal Inversion — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.