# Is "Darkness, Take My Hand" by Dennis Lehane a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Darkness, Take My Hand by Dennis Lehane (William Morrow, 1996) is identified by: Copyright page states "First Edition" accompanied by a complete number line including 1; dust jacket is price-clipped-free with the price present on the front flap. US William Morrow edition is the true first (1996); UK edition followed in 1997, so it does not precede the American first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Copyright page states "First Edition" accompanied by a complete number line including 1; dust jacket is price-clipped-free with the price present on the front flap
- Second Kenzie/Gennaro novel
- Publisher imprint reads William Morrow
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Dennis Lehane |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
| Year | 1996 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Copyright page states "First Edition" accompanied by a complete number line including 1… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Copyright page states "First Edition" accompanied by a complete number line including 1; dust jacket is price-clipped-free with the price present on the front flap. Second Kenzie/Gennaro novel.

## Is this the true first?
US William Morrow edition is the true first (1996); UK edition followed in 1997, so it does not precede the American first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions exist and are typically identified by a blindstamp to the rear board, absence of the number line, and an unpriced jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Darkness, Take My Hand* by Dennis Lehane a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/darkness-take-my-hand
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.