# Is "The Butcher's Theater" by Jonathan Kellerman a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Butcher's Theater by Jonathan Kellerman (Bantam, 1988) is identified by: The words 'First Edition' are stated on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1 (Bantam, ISBN 0553052519). US Bantam hardcover is the true first, 1988; a Jerusalem-set standalone thriller.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The words 'First Edition' are stated on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1 (Bantam, ISBN 0553052519)
- Bound in quarter beige cloth with gilt spine lettering over beige boards; a thick royal-octavo volume of 627 pages
- The first-state jacket should retain its printed price
- Publisher imprint reads Bantam
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jonathan Kellerman |
| Publisher | Bantam |
| Year | 1988 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The words 'First Edition' are stated on the copyright page with a complete number line… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The words 'First Edition' are stated on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1 (Bantam, ISBN 0553052519). Bound in quarter beige cloth with gilt spine lettering over beige boards; a thick royal-octavo volume of 627 pages. The first-state jacket should retain its printed price.

## Is this the true first?
US Bantam hardcover is the true first, 1988; a Jerusalem-set standalone thriller.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book club edition lacks the printed jacket price and typically carries a blindstamp to the lower rear board, and is a lighter volume on thinner boards.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Butcher's Theater* by Jonathan Kellerman a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-butchers-theater
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.