Guilty by Definition

The debut novel from another celebrity – Yawn! Yawn! Oh! It’s a murder mystery what a surprise. This was my first thought when I was allowed to review a pre-publication digital copy.  

Guilty By Definition by Susie Dent is an easy read, an enjoyable unravelling of a mystery but something is missing. The premise is clever and uses the hallmark of Susie her knowledge of words as the country’s beloved lexicographer, from the dictionary corner on Countdown.

The setting is Oxford; I felt I was back in the world of Morse. The murder mystery is based on a team of lexicographers at Clarendon English Dictionary. The starting whistle is blown when an anonymous letter arrives, puzzles are to be uncovered throwing a light on the disappearance of one of the team's sisters who went missing several years ago and a link to Shakespeare. There are plenty of red herrings.

As a relevant start to each chapter, there is an unusual word with its definition. However, using words that have to be defined within the text is irritating and took me unnecessarily out of the story. This was unnecessary and added nothing to the plot, and characterisation and it felt like their presence was to over-emphasise how many words the reader was unaware of. The mystery of lost women spanning the centuries was a strong story and did not need to be complicated by overcomplicated words.

I have been left interested enough to read her follow-up novel. Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this debut novel Guilty By Definition by Susie Dent published by Bonnier Books.