Guilty by Definition, Susie Dent

**SPOILERS BELOW**

So, so up my street! Lexicographer Martha's sister has been missing for over a decade. After returning to Oxford from Berlin, she takes up the position of editor at the Clarendon Dictionary, to which mysterious coded letters begin to be sent regarding Martha's sister.

I absolutely loved learning about being a lexicographer and am annoyed that I never realised this was a career option! The novel is also packed with gorgeous historical and etymological tidbits, which were fascinating and enriched what is otherwise an enjoyable, traditional mystery plot.

The characters were brilliant - my favourite is Alex because a woman with a penchant for high-end soft furnishings, cats, and fine wine who writes books in her spare time is a woman after my own heart. The rest of the cast is also both entertaining and believable to hang out with – I was genuinely devastated when one of them didn't make it.

The resolution packed an emotional punch; I finished the last third of the book on a plane and wept at a particular scene involving Martha and her father.

If, like me, you enjoy rich descriptions and learning new things, I think you'll love this! If you find little tangents annoying and don't really care about etymology, then this might not be for you, but I still think the mystery element has wide appeal.

I'm very glad I ordered this on a whim and hope Susie Dent writes a sequel!