# Is "Odd Thomas" by Dean Koontz a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (Bantam, 2003) is identified by: Bantam hardcover, December 2003. Bantam US true first; the UK HarperCollins edition followed in January 2004, and a Charnel House signed limited edition followed later in 2004.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Bantam hardcover, December 2003
- Copyright page carries a full number line ending in 1
- First printings include an excerpt from Life Expectancy and an advertisement for Frankenstein: Prodigal Son at the rear
- First novel in the Odd Thomas series
- Publisher imprint reads Bantam
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Dean Koontz |
| Publisher | Bantam |
| Year | 2003 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Bantam hardcover, December 2003 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Bantam hardcover, December 2003. Copyright page carries a full number line ending in 1. First printings include an excerpt from Life Expectancy and an advertisement for Frankenstein: Prodigal Son at the rear. First novel in the Odd Thomas series.

## Is this the true first?
Bantam US true first; the UK HarperCollins edition followed in January 2004, and a Charnel House signed limited edition followed later in 2004.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book club edition was issued almost simultaneously; club copies carry book club identification numbers on the jacket and lack a jacket price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Odd Thomas* by Dean Koontz a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/odd-thomas
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.