# Is "Night Prey" by John Sandford a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Night Prey by John Sandford (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1994) is identified by: Putnam's Sons, New York, 1994 (ISBN 0-399-13914-7). The US Putnam hardcover is the true first edition; this is the sixth Prey novel featuring Lucas Davenport.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1994 (ISBN 0-399-13914-7)
- The first printing carries a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page and a jacket that retains its printed price on the front flap
- Publisher imprint reads G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John Sandford |
| Publisher | G.P. Putnam's Sons |
| Year | 1994 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1994 (ISBN 0-399-13914-7) |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1994 (ISBN 0-399-13914-7). The first printing carries a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page and a jacket that retains its printed price on the front flap.

## Is this the true first?
The US Putnam hardcover is the true first edition; this is the sixth Prey novel featuring Lucas Davenport. Putnam first printings are identified by the full descending number line ending in 1, not by any stated 'First Edition' wording.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book club edition does exist: Night Prey was a Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club main selection and a Mystery Guild alternate. The book club issue carries an unpriced jacket, runs smaller and lighter than the trade edition, and typically has a blindstamp or dot on the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Night Prey* by John Sandford a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/night-prey
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.