Overview
This is a true first US edition of Michael Dibdin's second Aurelio Zen mystery novel, 'Vendetta', published in December 1991 under Doubleday's 'Perfect Crime' imprint.
Identification
Michael Dibdin, 'Vendetta' First US Edition, 1991
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
Michael Dibdin was a highly regarded British crime writer, best known for his Aurelio Zen series set in Italy. 'Vendetta' is the second book in the series, published in the US by Doubleday's 'Perfect Crime' imprint in December 1991. The striking dust jacket by Tasha Hall perfectly captures the atmospheric tension of the novel. The secondary market for late 20th-century mystery and thriller first editions is generally soft, with demand concentrated on debut novels or mega-bestselling authors.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The seller description notes the presence of the striking dust jacket, which is critical for value. For modern first editions, the condition of the dust jacket (unclipped, free of tears or rubbing) and the text block (clean, tight, no remainder marks) are the primary condition drivers.
Full Research
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for late 20th-century mystery and thriller first editions is generally soft, with demand concentrated on debut novels or mega-bestselling authors. While Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen series is critically acclaimed and retains a dedicated readership, first US editions typically trail first UK editions in collector value. Most standard copies of 'Vendetta' trade as reading copies or casual collector items in the $10 to $20 range.
Value Drivers
▲ True First US Edition status from Doubleday's 'Perfect Crime' imprint
▲ Original, atmospheric dust jacket design by Tasha Hall
▲ Key early entry in the critically acclaimed Aurelio Zen series
Concerns
▼ Unverified dust jacket condition — tears, rubbing, or price-clipping would drop the estimate to the reading-copy floor
▼ Potential for remainder marks on the bottom edge, which heavily discount modern first editions
▼ Lack of an author signature limits the collector upside
Best Venue
Given the modest market value, this volume is best suited for direct-to-consumer online marketplaces like eBay, AbeBooks, or Amazon. To maximize the listing, include clear photos of the dust jacket, the copyright page (to verify first edition status), and the text block edges. If individual shipping costs are prohibitive, consider bundling this with other Aurelio Zen novels to attract series readers.
Upside Potential
If the book is confirmed to be signed by Michael Dibdin and is in pristine, unread condition, the value range shifts upward toward the $50-$75 tier seen in high-end dealer listings.
▾Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.
Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp
- Biblio IEVendetta by Dibdin, Michael | Hardcover | 1991-11-01 | DoubledaySale on record but hammer price not published.No price