# Is "Prayers for Rain" by Dennis Lehane a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Prayers for Rain by Dennis Lehane (William Morrow, 1999) is identified by: US William Morrow first printing: the copyright page states "First Edition" and carries a full number line beginning with 1. US William Morrow edition is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- US William Morrow first printing: the copyright page states "First Edition" and carries a full number line beginning with 1
- The dust jacket is priced on the front flap (the printed price should be present) and is unclipped on a true trade first
- Fifth Kenzie/Gennaro novel, published May 1999 by William Morrow & Company
- Signed copies are typically inscribed on the title page
- Publisher imprint reads William Morrow
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Dennis Lehane |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
| Year | 1999 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | US William Morrow first printing: the copyright page states "First Edition" and carries a full number line beginning with 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
US William Morrow first printing: the copyright page states "First Edition" and carries a full number line beginning with 1. The dust jacket is priced on the front flap (the printed price should be present) and is unclipped on a true trade first. Fifth Kenzie/Gennaro novel, published May 1999 by William Morrow & Company. Signed copies are typically inscribed on the title page.

## Is this the true first?
US William Morrow edition is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition identified by the rear-board blindstamp, the absent number line, and an unpriced jacket lacking the front-flap price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Prayers for Rain* by Dennis Lehane a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/prayers-for-rain
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.