# Is "Because the Night" by James Ellroy a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Because the Night by James Ellroy (Mysterious Press, 1984) is identified by: First hardcover in dark cloth with gilt spine lettering and dust jacket with cover art by Gamache. The US Mysterious Press edition of 1984 is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First hardcover in dark cloth with gilt spine lettering and dust jacket with cover art by Gamache
- Copyright page states the first printing with a number line; jacket carries its original front-flap price
- Publisher imprint reads Mysterious Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | James Ellroy |
| Publisher | Mysterious Press |
| Year | 1984 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First hardcover in dark cloth with gilt spine lettering and dust jacket with cover art by… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First hardcover in dark cloth with gilt spine lettering and dust jacket with cover art by Gamache. Copyright page states the first printing with a number line; jacket carries its original front-flap price.

## Is this the true first?
The US Mysterious Press edition of 1984 is the true first. Second Lloyd Hopkins novel.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies lack a jacket price and generally carry a blind-stamp on the rear board. The stated first printing with priced jacket marks the true first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Because the Night* by James Ellroy a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/because-the-night
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.