Guilty by Definition
24th May 2025
Susie Dent’s novel didn’t capture me immediately, but once I’d got a few chapters in I did want to find out all the answers and about her characters.
It’s the story of a group of lexicographers writing updates for the dictionary, and some puzzling letters they start to receive, hinting at things from their past. There’s a lot going on, and it does get quite sad in places.
One thing that really bugged me was the use of the word “screenshot” to mean “took a photo of something”, which felt very weird the three times it was used, and something that I didn’t expect Dent to get wrong - I was anticipating some sort of plot point to emerge, but it never did.
Otherwise a perfectly good mystery, but I’m not sure quite inspiring enough for me to add the sequel to my wish list.
