Guilty by Definition The instant Sunday Times bestselling debut novel from Susie Dent
Produktdetaljer
Biographical note
Susie Dent is a writer and broadcaster on language. She recently celebrated thirty years as a co-presenter and the resident word expert on Channel 4's Countdown, and also appears on the show's comedy sister 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Susie comments regularly on TV and radio on words in the news, and is the author of several non-fiction books on words and language. Guilty by Definition is her first novel.<i>Guilty by Definition</i> <b>will delight anyone who appreciates fine crime writing</b> as well as logophiles and lovers of <i>Inspector Morse</i>
- Mark Sanderson, The Times
This <b>astonishingly clever</b> literary mystery will be <b>catnip to logophiles and cruciverbalists alike</b>
The Guardian
The<b> twisty narrative </b>zips along and I rooted for Martha from the start. It's <b>beautifully written</b> and <b>full of rare or forgotten words</b>, which felt pleasingly educational. <b>Wonderful.</b>
Daily Mail
Dent has struck<b> a perfect balance between the language lessons of Bill Bryson and amateur sleuthing of Richard Osman</b>
Buzz Mag
<i>Guilty by Definition</i> was <b>simply a marvel</b>. It is a <b>fiendishly clever mystery</b>, packed with twists and turns and delightfully interesting wordplay. <b>Do not miss this brilliant book</b>
Nerd Daily
<b>Charming </b>... the whole novel is <b>a joy for word lovers</b>
Belfast Telegraph
If you're like me and <i>love</i> both language and crime, then <i>Guilty by Definition </i>has it all. Susie Dent's <b>impressive</b> debut novel is <b>virtuosic</b>. So <b>meticulously and fascinatingly steeped in the archaic glory of words</b>, it will surely be the ultimate treat for every logophile out there. But this is so much more than a celebration of the dictionary - it's <b>a tantalising mystery </b>of a missing sister, a cold case that will not lie down, and a family frozen in their unresolved grief... all while their circle of friends and colleagues nurse secrets and lies beyond explication. <b><i>Guilty by Definition</i> is positively aglitter with etymological and detecting treasures for word-sleuths and crime-fans alike</b>.
Janice Hallett, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Appeal
The<b> main characters are people I'd like to meet in real life</b>; the Oxford types are convincing; the<b> puzzle is well worked-out</b>. And it <b>kept me reading eagerly</b>
Philip Pullman
The <b>brilliant lexicographer</b> turns out to be a <b>brilliant storyteller</b> too. This is <b>huge fun</b> and, as you'd expect, also<b> beautifully written</b>
Gyles Brandreth
Quite simply <b>one the finest mysteries I have ever read</b>
Rob Rinder
THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK AWARD 2025: BOOK OF THE YEAR - CRIME & THRILLER
'KEPT ME READING EAGERLY'
Philip Pullman
'HUGE FUN AND, AS YOU'D EXPECT, ALSO BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN'
Gyles Brandreth
'QUITE SIMPLY ONE OF THE FINEST MYSTERIES I HAVE EVER READ'
Rob Rinder
'A TANTALISING MYSTERY FOR WORD SLEUTHS AND CRIME FANS ALIKE'
Janice Hallett, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Appeal
Guilty by Definition is a love letter not only to language but to the city of Oxford, wrapped within an intriguing mystery of a missing woman and considering the emotional aftershocks of her disappearance on those left behind.
She'd known there would be ghosts in Oxford. Martha wasn't afraid of any headless horsemen, or nuns haunting the local ruins; it was Charlie, always Charlie she was afraid would find her.
When an anonymous letter is delivered to the Clarendon English Dictionary, it is rapidly clear that this is not the usual lexicographical enquiry. Instead, the letter hints at secrets and lies linked to a particular year.
For Martha Thornhill, the new senior editor, the date can mean only one thing: the summer her brilliant older sister Charlie went missing.
After a decade abroad, Martha has returned home to the city whose ancient institutions have long defined her family. Have the ghosts she left behind her been waiting for her return?
When more letters arrive, and Martha and her team pull apart the complex clues within them, the mystery becomes ever more insistent and troubling. It seems Charlie had been keeping a powerful secret, and someone is trying to lead the lexicographers towards the truth. But other forces are no less desperate to keep it well and truly buried.
Guilty by Definition was a Sunday Times bestseller August 2024