Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Cover Reveal: WHO BURIES THE DEAD

Here it is:

Coming March, 2015.

So what do you think? If you click on the cover, you'll be able to see it enlarged.

32 comments:

JustWingingIt said...

Is it the same model? If it is, I like his looks in this one better than WKC. I'll leave comments on the hat to others, lol. Overall, I like the cover though I'm not sure that the more realistic background fits with the style of the WKC cover, where the background had more of a painted-on look. Or maybe it was just the effect of the smoke/fog that gave it the more softened-edges look about it.

Veronica

vp said...

I love it. Please tell me they are going to have McGrath update all of the covers for the series and then release it in a boxed set for the Christmas season. I can think of several people who would love that as their gift this year.

cs harris said...

Veronica, yes, I know Lynne will complain about that hat! I thought one nice thing about this background (the first body is discovered at a bridge on the edge of Five Fields) is that it's markedly different from the buildings in ANGELS and KINGS. And I do think it's the same model in all three covers, although I did not like his looks in ANGELS. They actually sent me photos of three different poses and let me choose. I picked the one I liked his face in the best.

vp, oh, how I wish! I am still pushing for them to redo all the covers. They talked about it at one time, but last time I asked I was told, "They're waiting to see." See what?! The problem is, for some reason about 75% of my sales are ebook, which is WAY above the industry average.

Charles Gramlich said...

I like it. The background details are very nice around the bridge.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm....I kinda like it. I guess I still like the ones that are more murky and mysterious looking for some reason. I don't dislike it either. Don't know if, as a new reader, I would be drawn to it or not. His face here is definitely better than in Angels. I think I liked Kings better though as his face there wasn't as clear as it is here. My favorites are still Mermaids and Maidens. Sabena

Elaine P said...

I do like the model better on this cover than on Why Kings Confess. His face looks better here and I like the pose better as well. I really like the background that is usually my favorite part of your covers. They always have a nice menacing look to them.

cs harris said...

Charles, great!

Sabena, I realize I have a low bar these days. Better than WHAT REMAINS OF HEAVEN and I breathe a sigh of relief!

Elaine, this book starts at a real-life place called Bloody Bridge. A name like that just cries out for a nasty murder.

Anonymous said...

I like his model a lot better than the previous ones. However I dont like the background…no mystery. TSA

paz said...

I do like the background. I like how the artist blended very realistic renderings of the natural and built environment with clearly fictional/fantastical depictions. It gives a sense of a world unsettled, real but not quite. The is the most Sebastian of all models, though still not quite right. But they nothing will match the original.

Lynne said...

Uh-oh...we're getting to know each other too well. Actually the hat is a little bit better this time and the cover as a whole is quite attractive. It actually would make me pick up the book and examine it if I didn't already know about it. I think they did okay for you, considering your limited choices. I still like the idea of not seeing the face but since that isn't an option...
It's interesting about your ebook numbers, Candy. Do you think more people are running out of book space - like we discussed awhile back - or is it just easier to download? Instant gratification and all that? Even though I love my Kindle I'd still rather buy a book if I can or zip over to the library and borrow it. Does anyone else have a theory on this?

RevMelinda said...

Oh, my, I really like it. I think it's a combination of the pose and the greatcoat--his face isn't exactly my mental image of Sebastian, but on the whole it makes my heart go pitter-pat (i find those greatcoats sexy, don't ask me why--I blame a lot of these personal quirks on exposure to Colonial Williamsburg at an impressionable age). As to your ebook numbers, Candy, my theory would be that you are getting a lot of word-of-mouth action with readers telling one another "you must read this!"--which then results (of course) in a glomming of your backlist that can only be satisfied electronically. (I know my local bookstores typically don't have many of your backlist in stock at any given time.)

RevMelinda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Not sure if it's the fog, or my aging eyes, but the bottom of his greatcoat looks translucent - you can see vegetation through it on the right edge. Or is that supposed to be a swirly effect to indicate motion?
I like it though - bring on next March.
Lesley

Suzanne said...

My first reaction was WOW!!! I would certainly make a rush for this one if I saw it on a bookshelf. It leaves no doubt whatsoever that it is set in the regency and it a mystery. I think the background is superb, all that untamed bush and swirling fog. You made a very good choice Candy.

cs harris said...

TSA, that's interesting!

Paz, they did give me a choice this time of three pictures.

Lynne, I don't have a clue why my ebook numbers are so high. It makes my publisher very happy, which tells me it's better for their bottom line. Wish I could understand it, though.

RevMelinda, yes, those caped greatcoats evoke all sorts of images from my younger years, too. And you're probably right--if readers are ordering the book rather than walking into a store, they may be more likely to get the ebook.

cs harris said...

Lesley, I think perhaps it is mist. But after an astute reader found a modern lightbulb on one cover, I should blow it up and check it out.

Suzanne, that's why I like to hear, because while I want my readers to like the cover, I really want it to appeal to new readers.

Anonymous said...

c- i like it! this time his face seems kinder somehow - i don't know how to explain it. handsomer for sure. anyway he's more how i would imagine Sebastian to be. and i like the background too. if they wanted to show a face - they did a much better job this time. i think it will attract more attention. best, ali

Susan J. said...

It looks pretty good to me, though I think I would prefer the face to be less distinct, I like to have my own idea of how he might look. How strange it is when a character takes on a life of their own in other people's minds. Does it feel strange to create this being, who no longer belongs to you and becomes the mental property of your readers? It must be an odd feeling.

cs harris said...

Ali, yes, the KINGS image was much "fiercer", I think.

Susan, I'm frequently bemused when readers name an actor they'd like to see play Sebastian, and I look him up and think, "HIM? Really?"

Susan J. said...

I was wondering myself who could play Sebastian in a film. Nobody comes to mind really, he so unusual looking. I have to say please God not an American! Sorry if this offends anyone! Matthew Goode, the actor who played Mr Wickham in 'Death Comes To Pemberley' has something of the look but not the eyes of course. He is also playing an American in 'The Good Wife' American TV series at the moment, Finn Polmar, the lawyer who gets shot alongside Will Gardner. He seems to have a presence about him, and is very handsome with something of an intense, intelligent look. He might not be athletic enough though, whoever played Sebastian would have to be pretty fit. It's fun to imagine what a film would be like. Very few films of books work though. 'The Jane Austen Book Club' is an exception. I love that film, I've watched it over and over. Although it's a bit different from the book, it works somehow.

cs harris said...

Susan, if I had my choice, I'd opt for a series; that way they could include more.

Suzanne said...

On the subject of film, I imagine Sebastian as David Tenant. Since he left Dr Who he has been doing some terrific dramas. He is a top actor.

Lynne said...

I like Suzanne's idea - David Tenant is good. But I think of Sebastion as being somewhat fierce - a sort of "take no prisoners" kind of hero. Maybe Clive Owen? Oh, who cares! Wouldn't it just be cool to see it on the screen? I'm inclined to think it would make good Masterpiece/PBS material, Candy. (Suzanne, they're the station that runs Downton and a lot of the other British productions I told you about.) Maybe we should all start a campaign with PBS. Anyway, the idea has potential.

cs harris said...

Suzanne, maybe I should have a post where everyone submits their suggestions and then run another where everyone posts. I still have never seen an actor I thought would make a good Sebastian.

Lynne, the wonderful thing about any adaptation would be the publicity, which would really help sell the book. Although I suspect I'd find all sorts of things the film people did to criticize; I'd need to work to just let it go.

Lynne said...

Oh, Candy, all authors have that problem - kind of like letting your kids go. If Peter Robinson can survive his mysteries being made into DCI BAnks (which has turned out to be terrific) you could, too. I just think we'd all love to see it on the screen. Maybe Amazon Original productions or Netflix?? Who can tell?? (And I'll mount a campaign to make sure the hat fits:)).

Susan J. said...

I don't think any current actors would really be right. There seems to be a shortage of really memorable actors at the moment. I like the Sharpe novels but I can't watch the TV series, I just can't imagine anyone being really like Sharpe. I suppose an audio dramatisation might be good. Do you still get radio plays in America? We still have them on BBC Radio Four. They did a great adaptation of Georgette Heyer's 'Friday's Child' a few years ago. I wish they would release it on CD.

cs harris said...

Lynne, my vote is for BBC!

Susan, I saw the Sharpe series before I read any of the books, so it wasn't a problem for me. I suspect that's always the case if one has read the books first--the actor is never right. If I had a vote, I'd prefer a sexy unknown.

Susan J. said...

I'm not keen on Sean Bean who plays Sharpe,(hope I spelt his name correctly)so that does'nt help. I've only recently started reading the books, I needed something to keep me going until the next Sebastian book comes out! They're very good but the female characters are a bit one dimensional.

ksi said...

Love it! Can't wait til spring tho for the new book!! I've started to read the Capt. Lacy series by Ashley Gardner - but he's no Devlin by far!! Thanks

Rachel Walsh said...

A little late to the party here, but I just have to say how much I love the cover. :-)

The tangled greenery and swirling mist surrounding the crumbling stone bridge evokes a real air of danger and mystery, and your name and title in bold yellow is certainly very eye-catching. I'd say it's a job well done! :-)

cs harris said...

Susan, I love his battle scenes. No one does fighting like Bernard Cornwell.

KSI, must admit I haven't read those. Try to stay away from anything too similar to what I do.

Rachel, thank you; that's great to hear!

Susan J. said...

Yes, Bernard Cornwell is very good. I've just got 'Sharpe's Waterloo'. I do like reading anything about the battle of Waterloo. I love the depiction of the Duchess of Richmond's Ball held the night before, ever since reading about it in Thackeray's 'Vanity Fair'. You couldn't make it up really. How often fact is stranger than fiction.