no one puts suzie in the "dictionary" corner.

wow just wow. Hopefully this will not be the last. it's the Bodlean of books .....

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Fascinating

An engaging ,and well crafted story with interesting and well drawn characters, It gives a,fascinating insight into their profession too. Loved the definitions at the beginning of each chapter. It had a great plot with twists and surprises that held my interest throughout.
Not keen on the narration which was a bit flat and I did have to replay bits as some of the words being defined were not clearly enunciated .
A superb debut . Please write another soon ! Absolutely loved it..

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The Chorus was a surprise

An engaging tale which, at times, seemed to stall but then another clue. I enjoyed the trip into the ‘weird’ world of dictionary people. Look forward to a sequel. Well done Susie

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

How refreshing!

The plot was an enjoyable as the language. And how delightful to learn new old words at the same time. I now need to listen for a second time to concentrate more on the language without the distraction of the plot development. Thank you Susie, I loved this!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good characters and twists

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. A great interview with Susie Dent at the end.

I loved the characters and the twists. I can't wait for a sequel.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A splendid 'untwining'!

Guilty by Definition is a murder mystery, but above all a splendid feast of words.

After working in Berlin , Martha has returned to Oxford to join the lexicographers at the (fictional) Clarendon English Dictionary. Her sister Charlotte had been a valuable part of the team there, ten years previously when she had disappeared without trace. The mystery had never been solved. As Martha is happily settling back, the handwritten postcards start arriving. Strongly suggesting hint that writer knows what happened to Charlotte all those years before, each one carries a cryptic message buried in a Shakespearian quotation. Together the team involve themselves in the painstaking ‘untwining’ of these complex linguistic tangles which finally give up their secrets.

I loved it, as will all readers who are ‘philobiblists’ in general and lovers of acrostics, cryptic crosswords and etymology in particular. The gradually developed inter-relationships within the team make for very human characters. The particular strength of the book however is the inclusion of now obsolete English. The way s in which the subtleties of the literal and metaphorical meanings of these archaisms are woven into the story are sophisticated and stimulating. I particularly love ‘witship’ for wisdom, ‘injuritise’ to harden the heart, and ‘desiderate’to long for something that is lost. And how exactly right is to ‘grob’ meaning to search with one’s hand in the darkness!

The narration is adequate although mediocre but the recording includes a bonus: an interesting Epilogue in which Jack Edwards interviews Susie Dent about herself and the writing of her book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Loved it.

I had a bit of a moment at the start of this book when I thought it wasn't for me - so pleased I didn't give up. Great story line, likable characters, excellent narration. Hope there's more to come!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A great story & characters

I really hope this will be the first of many tales by Susie Dent. Louise Brealey voices the characters & story beautifully.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Loving the use of words and being an avid reader of dictionaries myself I really admire Susie Dent

I loved the scrutiny of following the meaning of the letters from Corus but I found the idea of Shakespeare’s sister being his “muse” a bit unnecessary and unlikely, maybe that’s just me. I don’t think it’s necessary to question his enormous influence on drama and literature. They’ll always be questions of course but for me he epitomises that divine talent of engaging storytelling and unique understanding of human nature.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Liked learning new words

The plot was good initially and then I found the resolution a bit implausible. Pity as I was invested!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!