It's not a mystery quite up to the standards of a Desperate Housewives storyline, but where is the booklet in the North American release of the first season DVD box set?

It's a question that many people have asked TVShowsOnDVD.com, and while the reason isn't known, it does seem to have affected many purchasers. However there is a solution: the site reports that customers affected by the missing booklet problem can telephone 1-800-477-2811 to request a replacement booklet.

Meanwhile, the site also reported on bonus discs that some retailers are giving away with Desperate Housewives. Apparently Target is offering a bonus disc with a box set purchases which includes the "Sorting Out the Dirty Laundry" special recap episode. The chain is also offering the box set at the price of $36.99 for one week only. Wal-Mart also has a special offer whereby it is giving away a free fall season preview disc with the box set, which covers both new and returning shows to ABC's schedules. Best-Buy meanwhile has decided to give away a DH-themed 2006 calendar.

Continuing its Desperate Housewives coverage, the site's Gord Lacey reviewed the DVD box set. "I had a blast with this DVD set," he wrote. "I was completely sucked into the story after the first few episodes. My girlfriend and I spent an entire day watching episode after episode; that's normal for me, but she's never done a marathon like that (she loved it). The show was a great mixture of drama and comedy. Disney has put a lot of time and effort into their recent DVD sets. Lost was amazing, and Desperate Housewives, while not being as good as Lost, is an excellent set."

Like TVShowsOnDVD.com's Lacey, Eclipse Magazine's Sheldon A. Wiebe thought the box set was good but not quite as good as Lost's. "There are nine deleted scenes (with optional commentary from [Marc Cherry]), and extended episodes with introductions by Cherry—my personal favorite is the extended 'Anything You Can Do', which features an extra scene with [Christine Estabrook's] Martha Huber that adds another layer to the character of our favorite late nosy neighbor ... 'Desperate Housewives: The Complete First Season' is not the set it could have been, but it is head and shoulders above the majority of TVonDVD releases of the year to date—only the 'Lost – Season One' set is better..."

Todd Douglass Jr. reviewing for DVD Talk was also positive, but gave a word of warning about the extras. "The DVD box set offers up a fantastic visual and audible presentation along with a plethora of extra features. It would have been more convenient if most of the features were packed onto one disc instead of a little here and there but it's not that bothersome to go back after you watch the season and check out the extra content. Again, just heed my advice though and do not watch the 'A Stroll Down Wisteria Lane' on the first disc until you actually finish the season."

Melissa Ruggieri also seemed to give a positive review over at TimesDispatch.com, but said the extra features tried too hard to portray a happy on-set atmosphere. "Something else the satisfying extras disc aches to communicate is that despite the tabloid rumblings, really, these girls love one another. They have so much fun. They tease. They laugh. They're all, we should know, as annoyingly giddy as Teri Hatcher (Susan Mayer). A predictably adorable blooper reel—mostly of the spunky Eva Longoria (Gabrielle Solis)—hammers the point rather ungracefully but is still fun."

Finally, for a chance for U.S. readers to win a copy of the first season DVD box set (hopefully with booklet), Zap2it.com has four copies up for grabs. The competition closes on October 11.

Find out more on how to get a replacement booklet over at TVShowsOnDVD.com. The site also have full details on the bonuses being given with the box set here, and a review of the box set here. Other reviews can be found at Eclipse Magazine, DVD Talk and TimesDispatch.com. For a chance to win a DVD box set head over to Zap2it.com. The DVD box set can be ordered from Amazon.com.

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