Guilty by Definition cover art

Guilty by Definition

The instant Sunday Times bestselling linguistic mystery from Britain's wordsmith, Susie Dent

 Preview
This Season's Biggest Deal

$0.99/mo for 3 months + $20 Audible bonus voucher

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Get this deal
Offer ends on 28 December, 2026.
More purchase options

Guilty by Definition

By: Susie Dent
Narrated by: Jack Edwards, Louise Brealey, Susie Dent
Get this deal

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends 28 December, 2026. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $27.44

Buy Now for $27.44

This Season's Biggest Deal | $0.99/mo for 3 months + $20 Audible bonus

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo. after 3 months - terms apply.
Summary
 This audiobook features an exclusive introduction from Susie Dent, and an exclusive Q&A between Susie and Youtube's Jack Edwards.

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. Amateur Sleuths Crime Fiction Mystery Women Sleuths

Continue the series
Death Writ Large cover art
Death Writ Large By: Susie Dent
All stars
Most relevant
Thanks Susie for taking me to Oxford, into the world of dictionaries and a gripping mystery aswell.

Absorbing Mystery for language lovers.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Mystery, words, Oxford … The ingredients for an enjoyable listen. Susie Dent crafts language deftly and I enjoyed the etymological nuggets throughout. Hopefully there’s more to come.

Enjoyable!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
really enjoyed that it is set in modern times. loved the characters and fast pace. couldn't put it down but didn't want it to finish.

engrossing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A slow starting story which increases in intrigue (alliteration city) and amusing dry humor. Red hearings aplenty. Gets better and better.

Excellent Extension to Wordlist

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A wonderfully written and narrated mystery with the clues deftly hidden amongst insightful observations on being human, life in general and the world of lexicographers.

If you love language, mysteries and an interesting cast of varied characters you will not be disappointed by Ms Dent’s first fiction novel.

I’m already eager for a second helping.

And I should add, it’s even better on the second listening where the cleverly hidden clues become a little clearer.

Simply wonderful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.