# Is "Hostage" by Robert Crais a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Hostage by Robert Crais (Doubleday, 2001) is identified by: New York: Doubleday, 2001. The US Doubleday edition is the true first; a standalone thriller (later adapted to film).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- New York: Doubleday, 2001. "First Edition" is stated on the copyright page above a complete descending number line ending in 1
- A standalone thriller, later adapted to film
- The first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed cover price at the base of the front flap and, when fine, is bright with no chipping or creasing
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Crais |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 2001 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | New York: Doubleday, 2001. "First Edition" is stated on the copyright page above a… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
New York: Doubleday, 2001. "First Edition" is stated on the copyright page above a complete descending number line ending in 1. A standalone thriller, later adapted to film. The first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed cover price at the base of the front flap and, when fine, is bright with no chipping or creasing.

## Is this the true first?
The US Doubleday edition is the true first; a standalone thriller (later adapted to film).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition is a significant concern for identifying the first printing.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Hostage* by Robert Crais a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/hostage
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.