In addition to selling Raven House Mysteries on Canadian newsstands and in drug and cigar stores (and maybe bookstores), Harlequin had a subscription plan which is found on the last page of the books. New subscribers received the first four books free plus, each month, four new books. Total cost was $7/month with free shipping.
The first four books had the words "introductory copy" circling the number in the top right front cover and the price had a stroke through it. There is a fifth book with this description but it is unnumbered and is not mentioned in the subscription plan ads. This appears to be a promotional title for the series.
The first books had a September 1980 published date. Oddly they have an April 1980 printing date. Other books (at least to December 1980) follow the same pattern with the print date six or seven months before the published date. Seems odd to print and warehouse hundreds of thousands of books and tie up capital for half-a-year.
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