Sunday, September 30, 2018

I Have Hannah Dennison Covered!


There are so many mystery series that I enjoy reading that it probably won't surprise you when I say that I do forget about some of them and they fall through the cracks. You can always tell how much I love a series by whether or not I stay completely caught up with it. But... not always. There is a handful of series I save because they're no longer being written, and I don't want to come to the end of them. Silly, huh?

Well, it came to my attention that I hadn't read one of Hannah Dennison's Honeychurch Hall mysteries this year, and I wondered what was wrong. I have a feeling she may have been dropped by her US publisher (idiots!) because the newest book in the series, Dangerous Deception at Honeychurch Hall, will be published in the UK in November. (By the way, if I'm wrong about the US publisher, my heartfelt apologies.)

To celebrate, I thought I'd take a look at the US and UK covers for one of Dennison's previous books. Which one "gets it right"? Let's take a look!




After browsing online and after wandering glacially through UK bookshops, I've come to the conclusion that US publishers take cozy mysteries much more seriously than their counterparts in the UK. Look at the difference in the covers!

The US cover has tons of visual appeal while the UK cover is cartoonish by comparison. I think the tendency to use line drawing on cozy covers is a subtle British signal to readers that this is not a Serious Piece of Literature, but then most of us already know that, as a subgenre, cozy mysteries are not highly regarded by those who prefer Real Literature. (Me? I read what I like, and I don't care what anyone else calls it.) 

As far as these covers go, I find it amusing that they both use the same M.C. Beaton quote; moreover, I find it to be the best blurb I've read in years since it is a perfect description of the series. But insofar as comparing these two covers, it's no contest. The US cover is light years better than the UK one.

What say all of you? Which cover do you prefer? US? UK? Or does neither one float your boat? Inquiring minds would love to know!




6 comments:

  1. I have to admit, I like the US covers for this series, Cathy. Interesting point about the 'cartoon' message...

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    1. Don't know if I'm right or not, but it is the impression I get from looking through some covers.

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  2. Yes, I'm voting for the US cover as well. Wonder if you are right about the 'cozy' thinking. I'm just about done with bookish 'rules' or whatever you want to call it regarding what constitutes 'good' or 'serious' or 'noteworthy' or 'trusted' or 'worth your time but this other one is too frothy or light'. Every book is likely right for some reader. It might not be me or you, but it's right for someone. Rant over! LOL

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  3. The US cover is much more attractive.

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    1. I agree. I was even happy to see that a British reader commented on my Facebook page that she preferred the US cover as well.

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