Guilty by Definition
- Author Susie Dent
- Narrator Jack Edwards, Louise Brealey, Susie Dent
- Publisher Bonnier Books UK
- Publish Date 12 August 2024
- Run Time 12 hours and 32 minutes
- Format x-book®
- Genre Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives.
Click to open directly in the xigxag app.
Flexible Pricing & Rewards For Listening
At xigxag, the more you read, the less you pay* on select audiobook and x-book® titles, as in the table below. Pricing updates automatically in the app and resets one year after your first purchase. And you can always find a selection of brilliant titles available for only €4.95.
*Only the full price titles you buy count toward your personal pricing tier. Full price titles don’t include Listen for Less or other books bought with a voucher or discount code.
Titles Purchased
- 1-5
- 6-10
- 11-15
- 16-20
- Over 20
Price p/Title
- €9.95
- €8.95
- €7.95
- €6.95
- €5.95
Listen to a sample
What to expect
When an anonymous letter is delivered to the Clarendon English Dictionary, it is rapidly clear that this is not the usual lexicographical enquiry. Instead, the letter hints at secrets and lies linked to a particular year.
For Martha Thornhill, the new senior editor, the date can mean only one thing: the summer her brilliant older sister Charlie went missing.
After a decade abroad, Martha has returned home to the city whose ancient institutions have long defined her family. Have the ghosts she left behind her been waiting for her return?
When more letters arrive, and Martha and her team pull apart the complex clues within them, the mystery becomes ever more insistent and troubling. It seems Charlie had been keeping a powerful secret, and someone is trying to lead the lexicographers towards the truth. But other forces are no less desperate to keep it well and truly buried.
User Reviews
On the whole, the characters are well written. Keep going at the end to hear the interview with the author where she describes how she tried to avoid taking them too far. The odd little irritations with them are actually what makes them more real.
The plot is good and moves along well. There are bits where I began to suspect things, which again, makes the interview at the end more interesting.
I enjoyed the "wordy" bits. The definitions and explanations worked well interspersed with the story. You couldn't really expect anything else in a book about dictionary editors.
There is discussion of a sequel, which I very much hope comes along soon. I'd like to hear more about some of the minor characters as well as the main players.
All in all, I would heartily recommend this to anyone who likes mysteries, words and Oxford.
I was a little apprehensive about reading a celebrity written book because they often are not great or extremely formulaic. While the story might be good, the writing often leaves something to be desired. Also, I really like what I have seen of Susie Dent and I didn't want my opinion spoilt.
However, the book is delightful. The story was good but in addition, it was informative about how dictionaries are created and the etymology of words. I remember reading about the early days of the OED with the input from an inmate of Broadmoor and this gives a more contemporary take on it.
For all these reasons and more, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery especially if you are a word nerd.
More from the same
About xigxag and the x-book®
Discover the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed to simplify finding, purchasing, and enjoying your favourite books in audio format. Our flexible pricing model makes bestselling audiobooks affordable, offering the best audiobook deals without the need for a subscription. You can also give the perfect gift with our convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.
A core differentiator of xigxag is our groundbreaking listen-and-read x-book® technology, which delivers a truly immersive digital book experience. This unique innovation seamlessly combines the audiobook, text, and images into a brilliant, integrated format, complete with exclusive audiobook features and a next-generation digital reading experience. Our growing x-book selection is easily discoverable by looking for the distinctive purple x-book® ribbon, or by simply filtering your search by ‘x-book’.
Beyond our technology, xigxag is committed to sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we stand as a leader in audiobook innovation and a compelling alternative to big tech. Our commitment extends to delivering extraordinary customer service, provided by our friendly UK support team.
Effortlessly search audiobooks, gain insights from honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. You can download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere, guaranteeing the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.