The points of issue
US Bantam first, 1996: copyright page states 'First Edition' with a number line ending in 1; first-issue jacket priced for 1996. It won the 1997 Edgar for Best Novel, a genuine long-tail winner.
Is this the true first?
US Bantam Books 1996 is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A number line not ending in 1 indicates a later printing; book-club editions lack the jacket price and are physically smaller.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Chatham School Affair a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US Bantam first, 1996: copyright page states 'First Edition' with a number line ending in 1; first-issue jacket priced for 1996. It won the 1997 Edgar for Best Novel, a genuine long-tail winner.
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 Bantam Books 1996 is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A number line not ending in 1 indicates a later printing; book-club editions lack the jacket price and are physically smaller.
I have a first edition of The Chatham School Affair — 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.