SMALL TOWN

New York: William Morrow/HarperCollins, 2003. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. Only the 10th stand-alone novel among the almost 200 books mystery master-craftsman Block can take credit for. "Small Town" is a large story set in New York City with a diverse set of characters targeted by a vicious serial killer. A writer on the edge of a breakthrough, an ex-police commissioner odds on next mayor of NYC, a beautiful folk-art dealer, a criminal defense attorney, an ex-addict are all on the list of a killer who roams the five boroughs unknown and unstopped unless someone can find the links connecting these residents of this "small town." First printing, first edition (as stated). About 6 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches, 448 pages in light-blue, paper-covered boards with dark-blue back strip with silver lettering on spine. Dustjacket's front panel shows title and author in white against a dark cityscape accented by a lightning strike. Back panel shows full-panel color photo of Block. Boards and text are clean, complete and unmarked without noticeable damage or flaws of any kind. Text and text edges show no tears, creases, underlining or soiling. Binding is tight, hinges firm. Dustjacket shows only a touch of light edgewear. A collectable copy. Block is known for mystery series featuring Matthew Scudder, Bernie Rhodenbarr, Chip Harrison, Evan Tanner, Keller, and Ehrengraf among others. "Small Town" stands proudly by itself as something more than the "usual.