# Is "Die Trying" by Lee Child a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Die Trying by Lee Child (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1998) is identified by: Putnam's Sons US first edition (1998). US Putnam hardcover is the collected US first; the second Jack Reacher novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- G.P. Putnam's Sons US first edition
- The first printing carries a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page
- Bound in red paper-covered boards with a red cloth spine, black rule to the front cover and black lettering to the spine, with red endpapers
- The first-issue dust jacket was designed by Thomas Tafuri and should retain the printed front-flap price (unclipped preferred)
- Publisher imprint reads G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Lee Child |
| Publisher | G.P. Putnam's Sons |
| Year | 1998 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | G.P. Putnam's Sons US first edition |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
G.P. Putnam's Sons US first edition (1998). The first printing carries a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. Bound in red paper-covered boards with a red cloth spine, black rule to the front cover and black lettering to the spine, with red endpapers. The first-issue dust jacket was designed by Thomas Tafuri and should retain the printed front-flap price (unclipped preferred).

## Is this the true first?
US Putnam hardcover is the collected US first; the second Jack Reacher novel. The UK Bantam Press edition appeared the same year.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book Club Edition is unpriced, carries a blindstamped indent to the lower rear board, and lacks the number line; the boards and paper are noticeably lighter than the Putnam printing.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Die Trying* by Lee Child a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/die-trying
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.