The points of issue
Putnam first US edition, full number line on the copyright page.
Is this the true first?
The UK Headline hardcover (1993) precedes the American edition and is the true first; the Putnam is the first US edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club reprint lacks the number line and jacket price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Mr. Murder a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Putnam first US edition, full number line on the copyright page.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The UK Headline hardcover (1993) precedes the American edition and is the true first; the Putnam is the first US edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club reprint lacks the number line and jacket price.
I have a first edition of Mr. Murder — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.