Wednesday, April 05, 2017

I Have Kathy Reichs Covered!


I'm getting all sorts of help and suggestions from readers lately, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Kate just told me about a perfect cover comparison that will definitely show up here soon, and Reta pointed me in the direction of a post called "Same book - Different title (a bookworm's gripe)" which also happens to be a complaint of mine. One of the things I love about Stop, You're Killing Me! is that it lists both titles if a book has been published under two different ones. I check this website almost daily for one reason or another, and it certainly has saved me a lot of grief!

But enough of that-- I need to get myself back on track. It's time for another Cover-Off, comparing the US and UK covers of a crime fiction novel. This week, I'm taking a look at one of Kathy Reichs' mysteries. See for yourself!




This week, I'm going to have to say that neither cover does a thing for me. Let's take it one at a time.

The US cover...

Of course it's blurb heavy; it's a US cover. Reichs is a New York Times bestselling author. She's the author who inspired the television series Bones. She's "a genius at building suspense."  All that's well and good, but the colors just turn into a dark blob, and the skeletal hand makes it look like a horror story instead of a mystery. The title does not stand out against the background, and neither does the author's name-- unless the lighting in the building hits it at just the right angle. Would I notice this book if I walked past it in the bookstore? I doubt it very much. 

The UK cover...

On the other hand, the yellows in the background of the UK cover do make it stand out more, and the author's name shines out at all passersby. The cover isn't blurb heavy either. (I do love British restraint at times!) But what's this sink/mirror/wall graphic all about? It certainly doesn't make me want to pick it up. I feel as though I'd come in contact with every disease known to humankind if I walked into that bathroom. How about you? The graphic probably has something to do with the story, but I just can't get over the feeling that I'd need a HazMat suit just to touch the book.


So... as I said at the beginning, neither cover does a thing for me. How about you? Do you prefer one cover over the other? Which one? US? UK? Or do both of them leave you monumentally underwhelmed? Inquiring minds would love to know!


   

6 comments:

  1. I am not interested in either cover either. The U.S. cover is too dark and sinister, not something I'd pick up.

    And I couldn't even figure out the British cover. I didn't realize there was a mirror until I read your post.

    I'm sure there's quite a story behind the decrepit bathroom or the skeletal hands. But I don't think I'll be reading it.

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    1. At least I know I'm not alone in my lack of preference!

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  2. I'm with you, Cathy. Neither cover would make me pick the book up. Not my sort of cover design, I guess...

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    1. Of course, I think Reichs has reached the point in her career where it doesn't matter what her book covers look like!

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  3. The UK cover is just weird and the US cover is creepy. I'd avoid both like the plague.

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    1. I think you have the best summation, Margaret!

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