There are two hardcover books by Patricia Cornwell (Book of the Dead) that were both published in October 2007 (one on 10/23/07 and the other on 10/31/07).  They have different ISBNs.  Can anyone hazard a guess as to why there are two versions?  I do notice that the publishers are different.  Is one better than the other?

Here are the links:

http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9780399153938-Book+of+the+Dead

http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9780316724234-Book+of+the+Dead

One could be a special edition for a book club.  The fact they have different publishers is why they have dif ISBN#'s and covers.  It's the same book, I don't see how one would be better than the other.  I would just get the one with the cover I liked better.  You could look them up on Amazon and see if one is large print or an abridged book club version.

It looks like they were put out by different publishers.  -- Ah, I see Mary beat me to the explanation.  Also, the cover shown here doesn't necessarily match the cover on the book, but a check on other sites makes me think the covers may be right in this case.

The first link you have is to the US edition put out by Putnam, and the second link is to the UK edition put out by Little, Brown.

Some UK ISBNs show up on PBS and some don't. I've never figured out why that is.

The first link you have is to the US edition put out by Putnam, and the second link is to the UK edition put out by Little, Brown.

Ah ha!  Thanks!  That explains a lot more.  I'm on the wish list for both, but the UK version is a MUCH smaller list and moving way more rapidly. 

UK ISBNs will show up when someone manually posts the books here.  I've posted books from Australian publishers as well. 

Cover art is different as it's up to the publisher.  Honestly, on some of the books I've picked up, I've really liked the UK/AU cover art better than the US.  But then that's just me.

And that reminds me...  A friend of mine is going to Australia soon.  I should see if he would pick up some books for me, as I'm not going overseas again any time soon.  I'm impatient sometimes for US release dates.