Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent

A missing woman. A truth waiting to be found.

When an anonymous letter is delivered to the Clarendon English Dictionary office, it becomes rapidly clear that this is not the usual word-related enquiry. Instead, the letter hints at sinister events linked to a particular year. For editor Martha Thornhill, the date can mean only one thing: the summer her brilliant older sister Charlie went missing.

Ten years on, Martha and her family are no closer to unravelling the mystery of Charlie's disappearance - until now. As more letters arrive, Martha and her team follow the linguistic clues to a troubling truth. It seems Charlie was keeping a powerful secret, and that someone is desperate to keep it well and truly buried.

Guilty by Definition is a love letter not only to language but to the city of Oxford, wrapped within an intriguing mystery of a missing woman and considering the emotional aftershocks of her disappearance on those left behind. Guilty by Definition was a Sunday Times bestseller in August 2024

THE BESTSELLING RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICKA TAKE A BREAK BOOK CLUB SELECTION A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING GOOD BOOKS READER FAVOURITE*DON'T MISS SUSIE'S NEXT LINGUISTIC MYSTERY, DEATH WRIT LARGE - AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW!*'ONE OF THE FINEST MYSTERIES I HAVE EVER READ'Rob Rinder, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Trial'A TANTALISING MYSTERY FOR WORD SLEUTHS AND CRIME FANS ALIKE'Janice Hallett

Series:Clarendon Lexicographers
Format:Paperback / softback 400 pages
Publisher:Bonnier Books Ltd
Imprint:Zaffre
ISBN:9781804183977
Published:24 Apr 2025
Classifications:Lexicography, Crime & mystery
Weight:284g