This is the debut by lexicographer and Dictionary Corner stalwart Susie Dent and as you would expect it is full of word definitions, and the origins of phrases, such as graveyard shift and dead ringer. So from that perspective it’s a fascinating read as I knew it would be. However, it is more than that, it’s a complex and clever mystery with more than its fair share of history. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it

Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnier Books UK and Zaffre for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Guilty by Definition releases August 15th 2024.

"language defines us and is the framework of our thought: an endless, shifting, complex dance through time and human nature"

Susie Dent conveys the world of lexicographers in Oxford, with the stark contrast of the repressing secrets that are uncovered by Martha and her co-workers at the CED. The world-building is beautiful, and this fast-paced murder mystery definitely keeps you on your toes with its Shakespeare references and wide variety of words.

"Aspectabund, she thought: wearing your emotions on your face."

I will admit that at times it was difficult to follow the plotline. The abundance of references was a little challenging to grasp, and slightly reduced the fun of deciphering the clues alongside the characters. Nevertheless, it was a quick and enjoyable read, good for fans of the English language.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity of reading an advanced reading copy of this novel. I was excited to be given the opportunity to read this debut novel by Susie Dent. After a slow start, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I liked the writing style, vocabulary, humour and well developed characters. The Shakespeare quotes and word definitions I could not make head nor tail but enjoyed the book.

Martha Thornhill a lexicographer, is the new senior editor at the Clarendon English Dictionary in Oxford (CED). She has returned from working in Germany to take this post. Martha and her team, Alex, Simon and Zoe, are sent strange and puzzling letters, which Martha is convinced is connected to her brilliant, older sister, Charlie (Charlotte), who went missing in 2010. I liked the idea of letters/puzzles and I found myself joining the team to solve the puzzle. The writing style was excellent, full of humour, questions and theories. I was entertained by the enthusiasm of Martha’s team as they attempted to solve the riddles, trying/failing/and trying again as the team bonded over the letters and clues.

I enjoyed the character development throughout the book. Zoe was my favourite character and the youngest team member, independent, fiesty and super smart! Martha’s character left me not liking her very much! Alex was my next favourite, a longtime employee of the CED with lots of experience to bring to Martha’s team. Simon, also an experienced member of the team who had hoped that he may have been offered Martha’s job.

This book is about puzzles, friendship, love, bereavement, jealousy.
I hope there is another book on the way

Martha Thornhill has returned to her native Oxford to take up the post of Senior Editor at the Clarendon English Dictionary.

She is concerned when she receives a postcard from the mysterious "Chorus" which gives clues about the disappearance of her sister Charlie in 2010.

Her colleagues have also received postcards and they decide to investigate the postcards and the people who may have had a hand in Charlie's disappearance

An interesting book from Susie Dent,if a little farfetched in places.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Zaffre Publishing for the chance to read and review this book

Free courtesy of Netgalley

This is an amazing first novel by Susie Dent, it is very well written and the characters are very believable. The story has lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing right to the end.

Martha has returned home from Berlin to take a job at the Cambridge English Dictionary office in Oxford as a lexicographer supervisor, she is working with 3 other people in her office, Alex, Zoe and lastly Simon, who was passed over for the supervisor position. Martha's sister had gone missing a decade earlier, whilst she was working at the CED and nobody knew what happened.

One day a letter arrived at the office, which hints about the disappearance of Charlie, which sets off the 4 colleagues to try and find out what happened to her.

The mystery is set up really well and you can work alongside Martha and the other to try and solve the puzzle, can you work it out quicker than them ? It sort of reminded me of the finderouter mysteries by Enid Blyton, I enjoyed as a child but with more sophisticated language.

So why a 4* and not a 5* - we all know that Susie Dent is brilliant with words, but not everyone is at her level, so even though at the beginning of each chapter there were words I hadn't heard of with their explanations, there were so many "big words" throughout the book that I didn't know, I started by looking them up, and found you could use easier words and eventually I just skipped over them, as it was ruining the flow of the story. I feel like there was a bit of showing off, which could ruin the book for many people.

I still would strongly recommend this book as it is absolutely amazing, but be mindful that it is wordy in places.

'Guilty by Definition' by Susie Dent.
5 out of 5 stars.

When an anonymous letter is delivered to the Clarendon English Dictionary, it puzzles the team of lexicographers working there. It soon becomes clear that this is not the usual eccentric enquiry. The letter hints at secrets, lies, and a particular year. For Martha Thornhill, the new Senior Editor, the date can mean only one thing: the summer her brilliant, beautiful older sister Charlie went missing.
After a decade spent living abroad, Martha has returned to her father, her home, and the city whose institutions have defined her family. But the ghosts she had thought to be at rest seem to have been waiting for her to return.
When more letters arrive and the team pull apart the clues within them, the questions become more insistent and troubling. Charlie had been keeping a powerful secret, but as the mystery of her disappearance starts to unravel, someone is trying to lead the lexicographers to the truth, while another is desperate to keep it buried.

I didn't know what to expect with this book but I'm so glad that I was able to read it. I loved it. It's a treasure hunt with murders included. I had an idea quite early on who I thought it was gonna be but I was completely wrong.
I hope the author writes more in this genre especially if they include the CED.
If you are a fan of murder, treasure hunts and puzzles then give this book a read, you won't be disappointed. Thanks to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read this in return for an honest review.

This is brilliant from Susie Dent! I feel my review should have some clever words in it but I will settle for saying that as debut novels go this one is top notch.

Absolutely hooked on this stylish mystery. I did see some of the beats coming but I loved the setting and the way the story was told so much that it didn't matter. There are a few dark academia vibes - mostly to do with setting - and overall it wraps up in a very satisfying way.

Absolutely superb- really enjoyed this book! It is based in Oxford with trips out to Witney and burford which are areas I’ve lived in and know well, I’ve also worked at the Bodleian library - they’ve all been well researched and true to their locations, (this is always bugbear of mine).

The story itself has characters who draw you in, are interesting and well described. I was able to pick out the villains/culprits early on however the word puzzles were a lot more difficult and a fabulous challenge which made the book even more interesting!

I’m not normally a fan of celebrity books however this one really is a cut above the usual ones- highly recommend especially if you have a love of words!

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

An intelligent and interesting mystery that kept me guessing and hooked until the end. I loved the definitions as book titles and the fact that the book is peppered with the history and meaning of interesting words. I also love how much Oxford as a place played in the book, it was almost a character in itself.

Occasionally the word references and descriptions of Oxford, whilst interacting, felt a little unnecessary and actually interfered with the flow of the story, but I still enjoyed the book immensely and didn't want to put it down. You can clearly see the authors personality and love of words throughout the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book with no obligation to review.

On the plus side, from about chapter 11 onwards this is not bad and it gets quite good towards the end, with some tension and red herrings, or are they? It's a good story even if a bit padded out. Oxford is well described and sounds very nice. For those who are interested there is a plethora of information (too much for this reader) about how lexicographers work and lots of info about words. Although there are a lot of characters, I did not get any of them mixed up or forget who they were.

On the minus side, it starts very slowly; the characters are a bit clichéd - Alex the stylish older woman with seemingly unaccounted for wealth; Zoe the energetic, keen young woman who despite being academic still loves bright clothes and pom poms; Martha herself, melancholy and with secrets in her past (the secret from Berlin is particularly banal); Charlie the more attractive, cleverer, charismatic older sister who went missing some years before; Simon the cynical old timer, sadly divorced and always passed over; Jonathan the too smooth to be true senior academic and his heiress wife; Gabriel the father who has withdrawn from the world after the death of his daughter; Gemma the well connected, eccentric literary agent - I am sure you get the picture.

To my mind there is too much detail given of ordinary things - a character doesnt just have a glass of wine, they have a glass of chilled something or other with the beads of condensation clinging to the glass. the air smells of woodsmoke and vegetation all the time. Too much purple prose for me.

I often read these sorts of books hoping that I can join in the puzzle solving but these puzzles were far too learned for me.

Guilty by Definition was a hugely enjoyable read with an intriguing plot and a fun puzzle at its heart. It was very reminiscent for me of the 'golden age' detective fiction (perhaps it would be classed today as cosy crime?) - very plot driven, enough clues for the reader to piece together the puzzle if they choose, but equally accessible to someone who just wants to sit back and enjoy the read. Dent's writing style is straightforward and engaging and as those who are already familiar with her would expect, she peppers the book with interesting linguistic details and etymologies. Occasionally, these can feel a little shoehorned in, but this is rarely distracting. The only real weakness to my mind was that the characterisation didn't feel particularly strong, and because of this, it took me a while to sort out who was who. These are minor gripes though, and overall, I would highly recommend this book.

This was a great but very heavy book. The underlying story was good and easy to follow but I found it heavy because of the words! However this doesn’t surprise me knowing who the author is. And I definitely learned a few new words! Despite this, the book was great, the clues were brilliantly executed and I loved the underlying story. The characters in the book are likeable and well written. All in all a good read!

Guilty by Definition was a fun read, a clever mystery with lots of secrets, puzzles and lies to unravel. A decade old missing person case, brought back into the limelight due to a series of cryptic postcards and letters filled with clues. It builds up slowly as details are revealed and has what I think is a really good balance for a mystery novel. Enough hints for you to start figuring things out on your own in a satisfying way, as well as plenty of red herrings and surprises.

This book, perhaps unsurprisingly due to the author, is filled with plenty of unusual and interesting words. Our main characters are all lexicographers, working for the Clarendon English Dictionary, so naturally the author's own passion for words and etymology is expressed through them. Most of the time this is done in an interesting, subtle way that doesn't feel too forced. I feel like I've read plenty of stories with book lovers, but never so many word lovers!

A satisfying mystery with an intriguing plot. Recommended for all mystery fans, even more so if you're a fan of riddles and word play.

Guilty by Definition
15TH AUGUST
by Susie Dent
I requested this ARC because it was a murder mystery set in Oxford. Two immediate pluses from me. I'd never heard of Susie Dent until I looked her up and don't watch Countdown. Guilty by Definition is a very 'wordy' book as one might expect and at first this really annoyed me as I felt it was the author being clever and this would detract from the story if it continued. I do consider myself to be quite well educated and yet still often look up words as I'm reading. The mystery in Guilty by Definition is laid out for the reader by way of complex clues. I'm no crossword fan so these went over my head but they were solved quickly and explained well by Martha and friends. Ms Dent is obviously a great Shakespeare fan! Despite my misgivings I found the descriptions of scenes and characters in the book sublime. I often have trouble visualising these when reading but not with this book. Oxford comes alive under her hand as do it's occupants. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The mystery held my attention right to the last page and I didn't guess 'who dun it'! I will definitely read any future offerings of this author especially if they are along the same lines.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own

In September 2010, Oxford PhD student Charlie Thornhill goes missing without a trace. Suddenly, in the lead up to King Charles III's coronation, with her younger sister Martha back in Oxford after years working in Berlin, and working as an editor at a dictionary, some cryptic letters and postcards start arriving for her and her colleagues, all from the mysterious Chorus, and all with clues and messages relating to Charlie's disappearance. What isn't clear is whether Chorus is an enemy or a friend, what they know, and why now? As Martha and her colleagues start to investigate, old wounds resurface and secrets emerge, and it's hard to know who to trust. But somehow or other, Charlie must be found.

Oh wow, I was so excited to read this. It's the queen of Dictionary Corner's debut novel! And I loved it. It was pacey, full of suspense, mystery, cryptic clues, and obscure words. Naturally. I especially loved the quirkiness of each chapter having a less well known word at the start, along with the century it came from, and it's definition. And we even get to find out the origins of the word 'commonplace' (although if you knew that already, there's a good chance you'll learn lots of other words, too). I also loved the three main female characters working at the dictionary, who are all at different ages and stages in their lives, but their friendship was beautiful and a real highlight in an amazing book. I am so glad I read this, and I would love to read more from Susie Dent.

Guilty by definition - Susie Dent

In 2010 Martha's sister Charlie disappeared. Ten years later clues start arriving in the post to Martha, close acquaintances and friends she works with at the the offices of the Clarendon English Dictionary where Martha works as a senior editor. As Martha and her colleagues start to solve the cryptic clues it is clear the author of the clues the mysteriously names Chorus wants them to find out what happened to Charlie and whether she is alive or dead. In the process long held secrets come out and strong friendships are forged with a little murder thrown in.

Throughout the book obscure words start each chapter the origin and definitions that accompany them sit well within the plot..I found this fascinating discovering the meaning and origin of each word many of which would be difficult to use in everyday speech today as they don't trip easily off the tongue..

It was good to see strong female characters I especially liked Zoe. Although there was little romantic interest in the book there was some hope that Martha and Oliver (the policeman who was happy to help) might get together in the future.

I thought the use of the language, the insight into the way dictionaries are put together and the glimpse of Shakespeare's world and writings all added up to make this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I am not someone who can solve cryptic puzzles easily so it was fascinating how they are constructed and solved. The fact that some were solved rather too easily might be a little unrealistic to some but just put it down to the intelligence of the dictionary editors involved in solving them.

Looking forward to more from Susie in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy.

An absolutely fantastic debut mystery novel based focussed around a group of lexicographers working for the CED - the Cambridge English Dictionary- I was hooked from the start. There were twists and turns throughout, along with an amazing use of the English language- as to be expected from Susie Dent. A linguistic delight!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

When is a cosy crime not a cosy crime .....
When it's Susie Dent's intriguing new book Guilty by Definition. This is a mystery with so much more, I loved it.

Martha, recently appointed Senior Editor at the Clarendon English Dictionary based in Oxford, has returned to England after living in Berlin for some years. A cryptic letter sent to the Dictionary, signed by someone calling themselves Chorus, contains Shakespeare quotes and hints at lies, secrets and dark happenings. Martha and her team quickly realise the letter also points to the unsolved mystery of Martha's sister Charlie who vanished ten years previously. More cryptic letters and postcards arrive as Martha and her team begin to unravel the dark secrets behind Charlie's disappearance.

As you would expect, Suzy Dent's etymological background is obvious throughout the book which is peppered with delicious, obscure words that joyously roll off the tongue. The definitions that accompany them sit within the story and as such are not a distraction from the plot. Each chapter begins with an obscure word, its meaning and origin. Despite the number of words used that are no longer part of everyday speech, the narrative flows at an enjoyable pace.

The characters were well developed and believable. Their shared intrigue brings the work colleagues closer together and allows their previously hidden flaws and insecurities to surface. My favourite has to be Alex who has a secret of her own! I am not particularly good at solving cryptic clues and sometimes needed to re-read the solutions to even begin to understand the meaning behind them. However this didn't spoil my enjoyment of what I think is a very clever and well thought out plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

This is such an enchanting British mystery that doesn't try too hard - it's clever and the plot if genuinely very interesting, touching emotions you have left buried for decades, with a sprinkle of humour and humanity and a whole lot of beautiful language. The word definitions throughout flow well with the story, and all in all this is such an enjoyable read.