# Is "The Watchman" by Robert Crais a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Watchman by Robert Crais (Simon & Schuster, 2007) is identified by: The first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to and including the numeral 1; the terminal 1 is the deciding point, as subsequent printings retain the "First Edition" wording but not the 1. The US Simon & Schuster hardcover is the true first edition, preceding the UK Orion printing.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to and including the numeral 1; the terminal 1 is the deciding point, as subsequent printings retain the "First Edition" wording but not the 1
- Published by Simon & Schuster in 2007 (ISBN 0-7432-8163-2) with a large announced first printing
- The first-issue dust jacket should retain the printed price on the front flap
- Publisher imprint reads Simon & Schuster
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Crais |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Year | 2007 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page with a complete number… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to and including the numeral 1; the terminal 1 is the deciding point, as subsequent printings retain the "First Edition" wording but not the 1. Published by Simon & Schuster in 2007 (ISBN 0-7432-8163-2) with a large announced first printing. The first-issue dust jacket should retain the printed price on the front flap.

## Is this the true first?
The US Simon & Schuster hardcover is the true first edition, preceding the UK Orion printing. It is the first novel to feature Joe Pike as the lead character rather than Elvis Cole.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book club edition is not a concern for this title; the trade first is identified by the stated "First Edition" line together with the complete number line ending in 1.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Watchman* by Robert Crais a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-watchman
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.