The points of issue
Dutton US first edition: copyright page states First Edition with the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. Second book of the loosely linked Blue Rose trilogy, between Koko and The Throat.
Is this the true first?
US Dutton is the true first; the UK edition followed from Grafton the same year.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the number line and the jacket flap price and may have a blind stamp on the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Mystery a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Dutton US first edition: copyright page states First Edition with the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. Second book of the loosely linked Blue Rose trilogy, between Koko and The Throat.
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. US Dutton is the true first; the UK edition followed from Grafton the same year.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions lack the number line and the jacket flap price and may have a blind stamp on the rear board.
I have a first edition of Mystery — 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.