# Is "The Black Ice" by Michael Connelly a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Black Ice by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown, 1993) is identified by: Published by Little, Brown in 1993. US Little, Brown is the true first edition; the second Harry Bosch novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Published by Little, Brown in 1993
- The first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line ending in 1, and is bound in quarter black paper over red paper boards with gilt lettering on the spine
- The dust jacket carries a printed price on the front flap
- Publisher imprint reads Little, Brown
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Connelly |
| Publisher | Little, Brown |
| Year | 1993 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Published by Little, Brown in 1993 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Published by Little, Brown in 1993. The first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line ending in 1, and is bound in quarter black paper over red paper boards with gilt lettering on the spine. The dust jacket carries a printed price on the front flap.

## Is this the true first?
US Little, Brown is the true first edition; the second Harry Bosch novel.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the number line and carry an unpriced (clipped or never-printed price) jacket; a small blindstamp dot is often present on the rear board and the volume is typically slightly smaller than the trade first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Black Ice* by Michael Connelly a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-black-ice
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.