The points of issue
First printing has the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page.
Is this the true first?
Bantam US trade hardcover (May 2007) is the true first; the Charnel House limited followed in December 2007 and UK editions later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club and large print club editions were issued the same month; they lack the number line and jacket price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Good Guy a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page.
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. Bantam US trade hardcover (May 2007) is the true first; the Charnel House limited followed in December 2007 and UK editions later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club and large print club editions were issued the same month; they lack the number line and jacket price.
I have a first edition of The Good Guy — 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.