Touch by Alexi Zentner; designed by Terri Nimmo (Random House Canada)
Even though the colour is not bold, and the design is neither flashy nor trendy, this cover stands out from others on the shelf. There’s something eerie about the woman’s body language and her jet-black skirt set against the otherwise bleached-out colour palette. Then there’s the axe, juxtaposed with a classically feminine script. The restrained touches – the ornament in the top left corner, the transparent circle containing the words “a novel” – add texture and depth without causing the design to feel cluttered. Everything works: it’s classy, with a hint of creepy. – Jessica Sullivan
