Wednesday, July 19, 2017

I Judge Books By Their Covers: Darktown


"Darktown," the first in a newish historical mystery featuring Atlanta's first black police officers, is on my to-read list and I hope to get to it soon. I recently came across the U.K. version and I thought it'd make a fun cover battle! (The second book in the series, "Lightning Men," comes out in September.)

<< U.S. // U.K. >>

These covers have a lot in common. They're both very moody and stark with no real color other than brown/sepia. The title font is similar and I think the author font is the same, just bold and not bold. Not having read the book I can't say for sure, but I have a feeling they both fit well with the story, which surely deals with  the solving of a grisly crime as well as race relations in '40s Georgia.

I'm not gaga for either cover, but I do think they're both perfectly fine. Something about the U.S. version really draws the eye in -- maybe it's the white from the headlights? It guides my eye right to the title every time, whereas on the U.K. cover I always look first at that large building toward the bottom. However, overall, I think I prefer the U.K. version aesthetically. It's more interesting; I like the sideways vintage cityscape, the white/black theme going on, and the sepia tones.

Do tell: which cover do you prefer?

6 comments:

  1. This is a book I've been wanting to read. I know my library has it so I've not been in a hurry. I actually prefer the US cover better (for a change). I am finding the other one too busy and distracting for some reason.

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    1. It really is a bit busy -- my eye roves all around when I look at it. For some reason, though, it just speaks to me a bit more!

      I almost always prefer the non-U.S. covers too. Maybe it's because I'm such an Anglophile at heart! ;)

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  2. Not heard of this one but since it's a mystery I think the US cover has more of a mystery feel. :)

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    1. I agree with you there. You look at it and can easily guess it's a mystery, whereas the U.K. cover could be about anything!

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  3. I was given this recently, and it arrived in the UK edition which I instantly fell in love with. I hadn't seen the US until you posted this, but I have to say I'm still partial to the UK version! It might not fit as well with the thriller aspect, but I agree that aesthetically it's much more appealing.

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    1. Exactly! The U.S. one does say "mystery" more, but I just enjoy the U.K. cover!

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