# Is "Other People: A Mystery Story" by Martin Amis a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Other People: A Mystery Story by Martin Amis (Jonathan Cape, 1981) is identified by: UK Jonathan Cape first edition, stated 'First published 1981' on the copyright page. UK Cape (1981) is the true first; the US Viking Press edition appeared the same year (1981), but the UK edition precedes.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- UK Jonathan Cape first edition, stated 'First published 1981' on the copyright page
- Bound in black cloth boards with gilt lettering to the spine; the top edge is stained blue
- 223 pages, with the subtitle 'A Mystery Story' on the title page
- Issued in the first-state dust jacket, which should retain its printed price to the flap (unclipped)
- Publisher imprint reads Jonathan Cape
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Martin Amis |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
| Year | 1981 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | UK Jonathan Cape first edition, stated 'First published 1981' on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
UK Jonathan Cape first edition, stated 'First published 1981' on the copyright page. Bound in black cloth boards with gilt lettering to the spine; the top edge is stained blue; 223 pages, with the subtitle 'A Mystery Story' on the title page. Issued in the first-state dust jacket, which should retain its printed price to the flap (unclipped).

## Is this the true first?
UK Cape (1981) is the true first; the US Viking Press edition appeared the same year (1981), but the UK edition precedes.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club edition concern.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Other People: A Mystery Story* by Martin Amis a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/other-people-a-mystery-story
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.