Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent

-

 


Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent- mystery/thriller

A book by a lexicographer, heaven sent for a bibliophile, a  philobiblist’s dream. 

This tells of Martha’s quest to find her missing sister Charlie who disappeared several years ago. Martha after spending time abroad  now works at the Clarendon English Dictionary, where she and colleagues labour to solve the clues they have been sent by the mysterious sender. All are literary or word related so pool their skills to work things out. Each chapter begins with a dictionary definition apt for the chapter, cleverly done.

I’m sometimes a little sceptical when reading books by a celebrity but was very much drawn to this one, Suzie being such a master of words on TV, and I was not disappointed- in fact completely the opposite. It's stunningly written and very cleverly thought out. As explained in the text words define civilisation, one cannot exist without the other and to know one is to learn of the other and this does this so beautifully. There are unusual words (and definitions) woven into the text along with everyday words we may not know the origin of. Things such as secretary and orientation, which I found very interesting and learnt things along the way. A read for the enquiring mind. A stunning, very different, eloquent mystery. Brilliant.

For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog

----------------------------------------------------------

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Murder Under The Mistletoe by Liz Fielding

-
Image
  MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Liz Fielding - Cozy Crime Another treasure of a read from Liz Fielding.  Abby Finch runs Earthly Designs, her garden business and has not long lost her husband so is bringing up their three children alone as well as juggling the business . She is asked to help with the church hall Christmas decorations and finds she suddenly has a death rather close by and it turns out it's no accident. The man who was meant to be putting the star on the tree is rather rude and brash and disliked by many. Abby, being rather curious and having a nose for detective work, finds he has been blackmailing several people and she is trying to get to the bottom of things without him knowing. Then things take a rather different turn, which throws things completely. Who is behind all of this and why, and is Abby herself in danger? This is such a wonderful read. It's one that you quickly get into and take to the characters, or not in one case! It's a cozy type set up an
Read more

All in Monte Carlo By Anna Shilling

-
Image
  All In Monte Carlo by Anna Shilling-contemporary fiction  A fun read about the jet set of Monte Carlo. How the other half live! Monte Carlo is full of people wanting to impress in every way possible. £30,000 for a bottle of brandy isn't unheard of in this tongue in cheek tale. Think “ the real housewives of Monte Carlo” but not! There is betrayal and subterfuge, and beneath the banner of a book club there is plotting going on as a small group of women have had enough. However planning doesn’t stay on course and the women have to think on their feet- something they aren't quite used to. A book to be taken lightly and one with a smile but apparently based on true events! . Of the ups and downs of the millionaire lifestyle. This would make a good holiday read, one to bring a laugh. A book that is slightly bonkers, possibly how not to be aspirational and that money doesn't make anyone happy but may provide the ways and means. A different, crazy read. For more reviews please
Read more

The Bag of Secrets by Joy Ellis

-
Image
  The Bag of Secrets By Joy Ellis- Crime When the body of a homeless woman is found, the police can't make it a priority as they have their hands full with the living and assign it to a rather arrogant DC who has much to learn, both in life and the job. Matt and Liz are handed a bag belonging to Molly, the deceased and it appears she may have been hiding something and they get the green light to investigate further. She wasn't who she first appeared to be and another homeless man knows there is another clue if only he can find it. There is also a teenager missing, one who has gone AWOL before but this time there’s something rather more about it. There’s a clue of “ The Bunker” and it's hard to find out exactly what this is as it's a well kept secret and those in the know are under pressure for it to remain so. What on earth is going on in the fens and why? I love this series (they do stand alone). There’s a wonderful camaraderie between Matt and Liz, and of course Rory
Read more