# Is "Free Fall" by Robert Crais a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Free Fall by Robert Crais (Bantam, 1993) is identified by: Stated "First Edition" with a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; Bantam issues of this period also carry the printing statement "A Bantam Book / June 1993.". US Bantam hardcover is the true first; fourth Elvis Cole novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Stated "First Edition" with a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page
- Bantam issues of this period also carry the printing statement "A Bantam Book / June 1993."
- Publisher imprint reads Bantam
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Crais |
| Publisher | Bantam |
| Year | 1993 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Stated "First Edition" with a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Stated "First Edition" with a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; Bantam issues of this period also carry the printing statement "A Bantam Book / June 1993."

## Is this the true first?
US Bantam hardcover is the true first; fourth Elvis Cole novel.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions are smaller, lack the number line, may show a blindstamp on the rear board, and carry no price on the jacket flap.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Free Fall* by Robert Crais a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/free-fall
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.