{"product_id":"murder-in-the-stars-john-creasey-1st-american-edition","title":"Murder in the Stars, John Creasey — 1st American Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication\u003c\/strong\u003e: New York, The World Publishing Company, 1972\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormatting\u003c\/strong\u003e: 8vo, pp. [viii], 189, [3].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e: Near Fine. The maroon cloth binding remains sharp and brightly coloured with entirely unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine. The binding is remarkably square and firm, presenting tight, uncracked hinges and no notable shelf-wear to the board edges. Internally, the pages are crisp and clean with no inscriptions or foxing, though a touch of faint, uniform toning is present to the top edge of the text block. The original, unclipped dust jacket is wonderfully preserved, exhibiting only marginal rubbing and very slight curling to the spine extremities, retaining its striking artwork without any significant fading or tears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e: A sharp First American Edition of this classic mystery by the prolific John Creasey, who originally published the work in the UK in 1953 under the pseudonym Michael Halliday. This unillustrated edition retains its original, unclipped dust jacket showing the $5.95 retail price, making it an excellent, complete example of Creasey's Martin Fane series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe true US first printing is relatively uncommon on the open market in this well-preserved state, presenting a highly desirable addition for collectors of mid-century crime fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin Fane puts his logic to work to solve a weird and terrible succession of events seemingly predicted by an occult practitioner. Although Fane does not truly understand the science of astrology, clairvoyant Hilda Kennedy gazes into her crystal ball to witness terrifying specters of death. When each prediction proves to be flawlessly accurate, Fane is determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious murders before he becomes the next victim under the darkest star in the galaxy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54475965137235,"sku":"4878","price":24.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260727_152955.jpg?v=1785763854","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/murder-in-the-stars-john-creasey-1st-american-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}