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

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Shadow Prey by John Sandford (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1990) is identified by: First printing so stated with a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (published June 1990, approx. The US Putnam hardcover is the true first edition; this is the second Prey novel featuring Lucas Davenport.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First printing so stated with a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (published June 1990, approx
- Quarter-bound in black cloth over red paper boards with gilt spine lettering; the priced dust jacket carries its original front-flap price
- Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1990
- 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 | 1990 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First printing so stated with a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (published June 1990, approx |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First printing so stated with a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (published June 1990, approx. 318 pp.). Quarter-bound in black cloth over red paper boards with gilt spine lettering; the priced dust jacket carries its original front-flap price. Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1990.

## Is this the true first?
The US Putnam hardcover is the true first edition; this is the second Prey novel featuring Lucas Davenport.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions carry an unpriced jacket and typically a small blindstamp or dot on the rear board and lack the complete number line; they run lighter and smaller than the trade issue.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Shadow Prey* by John Sandford a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/shadow-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.