Ratings3
Average rating3.7
There's a new kid on the crime fiction block, and her name is Susie Dent. As a lexicographer and etymologist, Susie knows all about words, their meanings and origins.
Guilty by Definition is Susie's debut novel, and what a debut it is.
The story is set in Oxford and centres around a team of lexicographers at the Clarendon English Dictionary, who receive some rather cryptic, anonymous letters. The letters contain clues pertaining to the disappearance of a young woman in 2010, whose sister happens to be one of said lexicographers.
That's as much of the plot as I'm willing to give away. Suffice to say this is an immensely enjoyable book. Each chapter begins with an antiquated word and its definition.
The plot is complex and intricately woven, its twisty and has the obligatory red herring.
There are multiple POV's, but they are necessary and, in my humble opinion, aren't confusing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I really hope there will more like this to follow.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for the digital ARC.