Wednesday, October 07, 2015

I Have Jeffrey Siger Covered!


After a wonderful two weeks in Scotland and England, what better than a little book cover comparison, eh? 

Eight days ago I spent some time in the Harrods book department, and let me tell you, it was all I could do not to go to the checkout with a big stack of lovelies! Due to this feature, I was eyeing covers with a bit more care, too. Did I buy any books? No. It was difficult, but I restrained myself. 

Instead I'm back here to compare the US and UK book covers of one of Jeffrey Siger's excellent Inspector Kaldis thrillers set in Greece. After all, his latest-- Devil in Delphi-- was just released yesterday. Let's get to it!





The US Cover...

The author's name certainly stands out, doesn't it? I wish the title did, too. Instead it's lurking at the bottom in the sand beneath that beachfront property. All's quiet there, too. For the most part, it's an attractive cover, but it just doesn't do much for me.


The UK Cover...

In comparison the UK cover seems simpler. The author's name and the title are at the top, and I like the fact that it states the book is "A Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis Mystery" at the bottom. Does that inclusion mean that Siger's books sell better in the UK than the US? I'll have to ask him. (He'll be at The Poisoned Pen later this month.) A church blazes white in the brilliant sun, and there are two small trees or shrubs. I can't tell what they are, but with those red blossoms I know they're not olive trees. When I think of Greece, I think of blindingly white buildings and the brilliant deep blue of sea and sky. The one thing that would make this cover better is more blue in the sky.


The Verdict...

I prefer the UK cover. Simpler, cleaner, and it says Greece to me.


What Say You?

Which cover do you prefer? US? UK? Neither one? Inquiring minds would love to know!



10 comments:

  1. I agree with you on all counts. I also think that the blue sky and sun brilliance as well as the color of the building are much more like Mykonos.

    The sky is incredibly blue in photos of Greece and the sun very bright.

    It looks like the U.S. cover shot could have been taken in many locations.

    And I like the fonts better, too, in the British cover.

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    1. The fonts really change the emphasis in the covers, don't they? In the US cover, the fonts are so bold that the emphasis is placed on the author and title, leaving scant attention for the graphics. In the UK cover, the fonts don't take pride of place; that's left for the graphics.

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  2. I'm with you, Cathy. I think the UK cover is 'cleaner,' more appealing, and more attention-getting.

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    1. As Kathy said, the graphic on the US cover could be one of anyplace on Earth.

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  3. The UK cover, it certainly looks more like Mykonos.

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  4. Yep, I vote for the UK cover too. The look of the building fairly shouts 'Greece' to me. Enjoy your event with this author. I need to read this series or at least start it.

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    1. It's another one of those excellent series whose characters grow with each book, Kay. I hope you get a chance to at least sample it.

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  5. I think I'm odd man out this time. The US cover draws me more. I like the colors. Plus, I have no idea what Mykonos should look like, which would make a difference in choice for me.

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    1. Works for me. :-) I think I've been warped by my reading over the years, and the fact that for over 30 years a Greek woman cut my hair. Oh. And I've lost count of the number of times I've watched "Mamma Mia." *grin*

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