Wednesday, March 18, 2015

I've Got Rebecca Tope Covered!


Here I am, a novice cover critic, back with another book to take a look at. Since I read a fair amount of UK crime fiction, I have to be careful when buying books. If the author is published in both the U.S. and the U.K., chances are the same book will have two different covers (and one edition will have a lot of extra U's...). 

This can make book buying a hazardous endeavor, and yes, I have purchased duplicate titles because of it. I used to think it was a conspiracy, but then I trained myself to shop with a list and dropped the paranoia talk. But I still find the differences in covers intriguing. 

Join me in perusing this week's covers!






This time, I'm taking a look at Rebecca Tope's The Ambleside Alibi, the second in her Lake District mysteries featuring florist Persimmon ("Simmy") Brown. It's just been released here in the U.S. as an eBook by Witness Impulse.

Two completely different covers, aren't they? 

The UK cover seems to be focusing on the book's setting-- the beautiful Lake District of England. From the color of the foliage surrounding that rushing stream, I would think it's autumn. 

On the other hand, the US cover focuses on Simmy's profession as florist with that bright pink carnation lying on those weathered floorboards, almost-- but not quite-- covering up that blood stain. 

Having been to the Lake District, I have a fondness for the UK cover, but I have to admit that I don't think it's the most striking of the two covers. No, I think I'd give the US cover the edge on this one. I like the font used for the author's name and title, and that bright pink carnation pops on that field of grey. My only quibble with it is that it's... generic... in a way that the UK cover isn't.

If both of these were faced out on the shelf as I walked past, unless I zeroed in on the author's name, I would walk right past the UK cover, while the bright pink flower on the US cover would definitely make me slow down. Notice I didn't say stop? Because unless I saw that blood stain or noticed the author's name, I might think it's women's fiction-- a genre I tend to avoid. Could be the publisher is trying to catch the female eye, eh?

What about you? Which book cover appeals to you the most? The UK cover or the US cover? Inquiring minds would love to know!



14 comments:

  1. Wow. Something I can make a choice about, unlike the weather here!

    In this case, I choose the U.S. cover. It is striking. I would notice the
    flower and like the fonts, too. The UK cover does not grab me at all,
    although I often prefer British covers. But not this time.

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  2. I really like this feature, Cathy! Hmmmm...I really like both, but I think the US cover tells more about the actual story.

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  3. OK, I'll chime in and disagree. I like the UK cover better. If it were facing out, I'd stop for that one before the US one. And I love carnations. But, I like that flowing water scene. In fact, I have a picture in my house that is similar - a tumbling stream from the Oregon woods. I'd find out about the story when I picked up the book. ;-)

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    1. One for the UK! And you brought up something that has been tugging at my memory for quite some time-- the photo used on the UK cover looks awfully familiar, but I can't think where I saw it!

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  4. I prefer the UK cover. The woods and flowing water catches my eye. It is like a very good photograph that I would stop to look more closely at. It looks like a lovely place to go hiking in. However, knowing the subject matter all is not what it seems as danger lurks. For some reason, the US cover kind of turns me off. Maybe it is that carnations are my least favorite flower. I am not fond of the pink and grey color combination either. I do have the first book in this series on my Kindle to read.

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    1. I have to laugh. After saying that I had a slight preference for the US cover, I was at The Poisoned Pen last night when what should catch my eye and make me stop but the UK cover of this very same book! LOL

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  5. I thought I would asked my husband which one he preferred. He liked the US cover. It was an easy choice for him. I don't think the two choices were even close for him as to which one he liked best.

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    1. I love how each person's eye notices different things, don't you?

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  6. I am wondering if the flower is a carnation. It resembles an old fashion rose which some varieties have a similar look to a carnation.The leaves look more like rose leaves to me than carnation leaves. I know its not important but is just a thought. Maybe those leaves don't go with the flower.

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    1. You're right... it just might be an old-fashioned rose!

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  7. You're going to think I'm a sycophant, but I agree with you again - and for the same reasons.

    I do very much enjoy this feature. :-)

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    1. No, I don't think you're a sycophant because you've disagreed with me in the past!

      I'm really glad that you-- and others-- are enjoying this feature. :-)

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Thank you for taking the time to make a comment. I really appreciate it!