New(N) - purchased new and never previously owned. No defects except those created by the publishing process.

Fine(F) - just like new except it had an owner. Paperbacks will have no defects.

VeryGood/Fine(VGF) - fine except for one defect. In hardcovers, it may be a clipped DJ, or a pervious owner’s signature on the FEP, or a remainder mark. Defects are noted for hardcovers. In paperbacks, it may be a store stamp on the FEP, or a slight cover defect like one chip or crease.

Very Good(VG) - some cover wear or defects present, but minor. Defects noted on hardcovers. In paperbacks, the defects will include store stamps, creases to the covers, or slight spine roll.

Good(G) - intact book with one or more of the following: chipping, minor separation, fold marks on cover, rolling, writing on FEP. Defects noted on hardcovers. In paperbacks, this will be a reading copy with all the pages intact.

Reading(R) - a copy that should be purchased to be read but not to be collected. Major defects in both the hardcovers and the paperbacks make this not collectible, but all the pages will be present so it can be read.

also=also writes P. I. novels under this other name; BC=book club; DJ=dust jacket; ex=except; EX=ex-library; pb=mass market paperback; PBO=paperback original; pbt=trade size paperback; tPBO=trade size paperback original; pseud.=pseudonym; RM=remainder; s.s. coll.=short story collection; TCOT=the case of the; 1st=first hardcover edition.