An Alibi Too Soon, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition
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Publication: London, Constable, 1987
Formatting: 8vo, pp. 175.
Condition Report: Near Fine. The unclipped dust jacket is exceptionally bright and well-preserved, remaining free of fading or shelf-wear, and is securely housed in a protective mylar sleeve. The black cloth boards are sharp and unbumped, boasting clean, unoxidised silver lettering to the spine. The binding remains tight, square, and structurally sound. Internally, the pages are crisp and unmarked, displaying only the standard, faint age-toning to the text block edges characteristic of the original paper stock, alongside a neat presentation inscription in ink to the front free endpaper.
Catalogue Note: First edition. A compelling association copy, this first printing bears a signed presentation inscription on the front free endpaper: "To Eileen / With love from Roger." The recipient is fellow crime writer Eileen Dewhurst, a contemporary of Ormerod, making this a highly appealing presentation copy between two active twentieth-century British crime novelists.
The volume retains its striking original dust jacket, featuring the publisher's characteristic Constable Crime livery and quotes from The Spectator on the rear panel. While standard signed copies of Ormerod's work appear on the market with some regularity, presentation copies bearing direct, affectionate associations between published genre authors are markedly scarce.
When ex-Chief Superintendent Llew Hughes urgently summons his old friend Richard Patton, claiming his life is in danger after uncovering suspicious details for his memoirs, Patton anticipates trouble. However, arriving too late, he finds Hughes dead in a devastating house fire. Refusing to accept the official verdict of an accident, Patton delves into the historical case that cost his friend his life—uncovering a web of deceit, a convicted murderer protesting his innocence, and a cleverly fabricated alibi that has withstood the test of time.
Book Condition: Near Fine
Book Authors: Roger Ormerod
Book Publisher: Constable
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Fiction
Genre: Crime & Mystery
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: Yes
Book Pages: 175
Book Publication Year: 1987
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: Inspector Patton
Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| New | A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage. |
| As New | The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years. |
| Fine | The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked. |
| Near Fine | The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition. |
| Very Good | The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present. |
| Good | A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy. |
| Fair | A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity. |
| Poor | A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance. |
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