NY, Delacorte, (1977). The dedication copy of this mystery. Inscribed by Leonard on the dedication page in the month before publication: "For son Peter Leonard with love, Elmore Leonard 5/77." The printed dedication reads simply, "For Peter." Peter Leonard would have been about 25 when this book was published; he wouldn't become a crime novelist himself for another 25 years. When Elmore Leonard died, in 2013, Peter first considered finishing his father's final novel, to be called Blue Dreams, but has reportedly abandoned that idea in favor of writing his own Raylan Givens novel as a tribute to his father, one that would bring Givens to Detroit. An early Leonard mystery, before he had firmly established his reputation as a mystery writer (his early novels were Westerns; his early mysteries were issued as paperback originals), and thus before his books were bestsellers upon publication, with large first printings. Slight spine lean and offsetting to the front boards; a very good copy in a very good dust jacket albeit with a little staining to the front flap fold and a long closed tear at the rear spine fold. The best possible association. [#032887] SOLD