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Death Writ Large
The unmissable new linguistic mystery in the Sunday Times bestselling series from Britain's wordsmith, Susie Dent
Series: Clarendon Lexicographers
Brief Description
A brand-new linguistic mystery from Countdown's resident lexicographer, Susie Dent, set in the city of Oxford When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from a runic alphabet created by a deceased fantasy writer whose papers she once worked on....
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See moreThe unmissable new linguistic mystery in the Sunday Times bestselling series from Britain's wordsmith, Susie Dent
The unmissable new linguistic mystery in the Sunday Times bestselling series from Britain's wordsmith, Susie Dent
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Description
A brand-new linguistic mystery from Countdown's resident lexicographer, Susie Dent, set in the city of Oxford
When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from a runic alphabet created by a deceased fantasy writer whose papers she once worked on. But this is no publicity stunt, and tensions intensify when further graffiti is found near the body of a university lecturer.
Martha is not the only one to have doubts when the suspicious death is assumed by police to be a suicide. Called upon to lend their linguistic expertise to the case, Martha and her colleagues begin to unearth a tragedy that extends beyond the ancient walls of the university. As new messages portend more death, it's clear that a spirit of vengeance is stalking the city's streets, and may be reaching out towards them too.
Guilty by Definition (book 1) was a Sunday Times bestseller August 2024
Series: Clarendon Lexicographers
View all-
New ReleaseDeath Writ Large
A brand-new linguistic mystery from Countdown's resident lexicographer, Susie Dent, set in the city of Oxford When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from a runic alphabet created by a deceased fantasy writer whose papers she once worked on. But this is no publicity stunt, and tensions intensify when further graffiti is found...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Death Writ Large
A brand-new linguistic mystery from Countdown's resident lexicographer, Susie Dent, set in the city of Oxford AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW A mysterious letter. A silenced scholar. A city paved with injustice. When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from an alphabet created by a deceased writer whose papers she once worked on. But this...HardbackSold Out
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781804187258
Publisher: Bonnier Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 13 August 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Zaffre
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 153.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 416
About the Author
Susie Dent is a writer and broadcaster on language. She recently celebrated thirty years as a co-presenter and the resident word expert on Channel 4's Countdown, and also appears on the show's comedy sister 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Susie comments regularly on TV and radio on words in the news, and is the author of several non-fiction books on words and language. Guilty by Definition is her first novel.
Also by Susie Dent
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Interesting Stories about Curious Words
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Words for Life
Whatever you need, Susie Dent has a word for it. Do you know the name for someone who loves reading in bed, or what a binfluencer does? How about the medieval invention of Lubberland as a place for lazy teenagers, or the story of Mayday as a request for help? Lexicographer extraordinaire and Queen of Countdown's Dictionary Corner, Susie Dent...Paperback$3399Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Roots We Share
A follow-up title to the bestselling Roots of Happiness, this is a beautifully illustrated book from author, broadcaster and word expert, Susie Dent, highlighting 100 words and phrases from the English language and beyond that bring people together. Susie Dent, bestselling author, broadcaster and word expert, is on a mission to find 100 words and phrases to bring people together....Hardback$4500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Word Perfect
'Susie Dent is a one-off. She breathes life and fun into words and language' — Pam Ayres 'Susie Dent is a national treasure' — Richard Osman Welcome to a year of wonder with Susie Dent, lexicographer, logophile, and longtime queen of Countdown's Dictionary Corner. From the real Jack the Lad to the theatrically literal story behind stealing someone's thunder, from...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2999Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips late October -
Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (20th edition)
This is, in fact, not what you were looking for; but it's much more interesting. — Terry Pratchett Much loved for its wit and wisdom since 1870, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable takes you on a captivating adventure through its trademark blend of language, culture, myth and legend. Nowhere else could the histories of the guillotine and Guinness stout...Hardback$12000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Words from the Heart
'MAGIC' JO BRAND'HAPPIFYING' STEPHEN FRY'SUSIE DENT IS A NATIONAL TREASURE' RICHARD OSMANWhether it's the distress of a bad haircut (AGE-OTORI) or longing for the food someone else is eating (GROAKING), the pleasure found in other people's happiness (CONFELICITY) or the shock of jumping into icy water (CURGLAFF), there are real words to pinpoint exactly how you feel and Susie Dent,...Paperback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Words for Life
Whatever you need, Susie Dent has a word for it. Do you know the name for someone who loves reading in bed, or what a binfluencer does? How about the medieval invention of Lubberland as a place for lazy teenagers, or the story of Mayday as a request for help? Lexicographer extraordinaire and Queen of Countdown's Dictionary Corner, Susie Dent...Paperback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Dent's Modern Tribes
Did you know that a soldier's biggest social blunder is called jack brew—making yourself a cuppa without making one for anyone else? That twitchers have an expression for a bird that can't be identified—LBJ (the letters stand for Little Brown Job)? Or that builders call plastering the ceiling doing Lionel Richie's dancefloor? Susie Dent does. Ever wondered why football managers...Paperback$3199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Guilty by Definition
THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER! '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, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Appeal A coded letter. A missing woman. A truth waiting to be found. When an anonymous letter is delivered...PaperbackSold Out -
Death Writ Large
A brand-new linguistic mystery from Countdown's resident lexicographer, Susie Dent, set in the city of Oxford AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW A mysterious letter. A silenced scholar. A city paved with injustice. When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from an alphabet created by a deceased writer whose papers she once worked on. But this...HardbackSold Out -
Roots of Happiness
A beautifully illustrated book from bestselling author, broadcaster and word expert, Susie Dent, highlighting 100 joyful and often unknown words and phrases from our language (and other languages from around the world). Roots of Happiness by Susie Dent explores the light hiding in the deepest, darkest corners of our language. It takes just a short browse through the dictionary to...HardbackSold Out -
Guilty by Definition
The debut murder mystery from the resident genius of Countdown's Dictionary Corner, Susie Dent. An anonymous letter arrives at the offices of the Clarendon English Dictionary containing a challenge for the team of lexicographers working there. It's clear that it's not the usual run-of-the-mill, eccentric enquiry. The letter hints at secrets, lies, and a year: 2010. For Martha Thornhill, the...PaperbackSold Out
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