The points of issue
Holt, Rinehart and Winston US first edition (hardcover), 1983. Copyright page states First Edition with a full number line 1 through 10. McCammon's first hardcover; his earlier novels were paperback originals.
Is this the true first?
US Holt hardcover is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies lack the number line and have no price on the jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Mystery Walk a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Holt, Rinehart and Winston US first edition (hardcover), 1983. Copyright page states First Edition with a full number line 1 through 10. McCammon's first hardcover; his earlier novels were paperback originals.
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 Holt hardcover is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club copies lack the number line and have no price on the jacket.
I have a first edition of Mystery Walk — 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.