Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent

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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

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