The Man Who Killed by Fraser Nixon; designed by Peter Cocking (Douglas & McIntyre)
A stylish riff on sophisticated film noir posters of the early 1940s, this design uses a nostalgic tone to convey the feel of the book. The bold, modernist typeface, a subtle nod to the era, is not overplayed. The splash of red type fits nicely into the visual hierarchy of typographical elements. The positioning and varying point sizes convey depth, movement, and drama. The image of a cropped, gun-toting figure casting a shadow offers minor clues about the main character but leaves much to the reader’s imagination. It is an impressive feat to get a largely black-and-white cover approved in a time when the refrain most often heard is, “More colour, please!” – Terri Nimmo
