The Killer Breath, John Wyllie — 1st Edition
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Publication: London, Robert Hale Limited, 1980
Formatting: 8vo, pp. 178.
Condition Report: Very Good. The original black cloth boards remain sharp and clean, with unrubbed silver lettering to the spine and firm, unbumped corners. The binding is sound, tight, and square, exhibiting only the slightest suggestion of rolling. Internally, the text block is clean and free from foxing, though the page edges display a uniform, mild age-toning typical of the paper stock used during this period. The original dust jacket remains bright and entirely unclipped, retaining the '£4.75 net' price to the front flap. It shows minor shelf-wear, primarily consisting of shallow chipping and rubbing to the spine ends, alongside a very small fragment of yellow tape residue to the rear panel. Overall, a highly presentable and well-preserved copy.
Catalogue Note: First UK Edition, published by Robert Hale in 1980 (following the preceding US publication by Doubleday in 1979).
The book is bound in the publisher's original black cloth with striking silver spine tooling. It is complete with the original dust jacket, featuring cover artwork designed by Colin Thomas, which captures the sinister essence of the novel's West African setting.
The Robert Hale UK first editions of Wyllie's Dr. Quarshie mysteries were produced in much smaller print runs than their US Doubleday counterparts. This makes the UK edition particularly scarce on the open market today, especially when retaining an intact, unclipped dust jacket in highly collectable condition.
In the gripping sixth instalment of John Wyllie’s acclaimed mystery series, the brilliant West African detective Dr. Quarshie finds himself plunged into a treacherous case on the formidable 'Murder Mountain'. When he is tasked with investigating the disappearance of a wealthy mother's daughter, what begins as a missing persons inquiry quickly unravels into a far more sinister confrontation. Quarshie must navigate a landscape of unprincipled characters and dark secrets as he faces off against a diabolical force known only as the 'Killer Breath'. Rich in cultural atmosphere and thick with suspense, this is a masterful and chilling detective thriller.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: John Wyllie
Book Publisher: Robert Hale Limited
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Fiction
Genre: Crime & Mystery
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 178
Book Publication Year: 1980
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: Dr. Quarshie Mysteries
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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