Clarendon Lexicographers by Susie Dent 2 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Mixed Format

Titles in This Set
Guilty by Definition
Death Writ Large

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Mixed Format (Guilty by Definition - Paperback, Death Writ Large - Hardcover)
ISBN: 9781804183977 (Guilty by Definition), 9781806176380 (Death Writ Large)
Publisher: Zaffre

Overview
Step into the hushed reading rooms of Oxford with the Clarendon Lexicographers series, a Sunday Times bestselling mystery saga from Susie Dent, Countdown's beloved word expert. This two-book collection follows lexicographer Martha Thornhill as she untangles coded letters, cryptic symbols, and long-buried secrets hidden within the pages of a historic dictionary project. Blending sharp wordplay with genuine suspense, these novels are a love letter to language and to the city of Oxford itself, perfect for readers who enjoy their crime fiction laced with literary intelligence and a distinctly bookish charm.

About the Books
The Clarendon Lexicographers series opens with Guilty by Definition, in which an anonymous, coded letter arrives at the offices of the Clarendon English Dictionary, hinting at dark events tied to a specific year long past. Lexicographer Martha Thornhill and her colleagues piece together clues buried in etymology and obscure vocabulary, uncovering a mystery connected to a missing woman and secrets the dictionary's own history has quietly guarded. The novel doubles as a tribute to Oxford and to the curious minds behind dictionary-making, grounding its suspense in genuine linguistic detail.

The story continues in Death Writ Large, when mysterious symbols begin appearing as graffiti around Oxford and near the bodies of university lecturers. Martha recognizes the markings from an alphabet devised by a deceased writer whose private papers she once studied, pulling her into the overlap between scholarship and crime. As the lexicographers' expertise becomes essential to unraveling the pattern behind the killings, the book raises the stakes of the first novel's Oxford-set intrigue, forming a satisfying arc for readers who love mysteries built on words and academic atmosphere.

Key Benefits

• Complete two-book set of the Sunday Times bestselling Clarendon Lexicographers series
• Brand-new copies: Guilty by Definition (paperback) and Death Writ Large (hardcover)
• Atmospheric Oxford mysteries built around real etymology and wordplay
• Ideal gift for literary crime fans, language lovers, and Countdown viewers
• Written by Susie Dent, a trusted voice in words for over three decades
• A satisfying introduction to a growing, acclaimed mystery series

Book-by-Book Guide
Guilty by Definition — A coded letter arrives at the Clarendon English Dictionary, pulling lexicographer Martha Thornhill into a mystery tied to a missing woman and a long-hidden truth.
Death Writ Large — Cryptic symbols appear near the bodies of Oxford academics, and Martha must decode an alphabet invented by a deceased writer to stop a killer.

About the Author
Susie Dent is a British writer, broadcaster, and etymologist best known as the resident word expert on Channel 4's Countdown, a role she has held for over three decades, as well as its comedy spin-off 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. She has written numerous nonfiction books exploring the history and quirks of the English language and is a familiar voice discussing words in the news across British TV and radio. Guilty by Definition marked her debut as a novelist, launching the Clarendon Lexicographers series to widespread acclaim, with Death Writ Large following as its bestselling sequel.

Why You'll Love This Collection
A treat for word-lovers, mystery fans, and anyone who has shouted an answer at the Countdown conundrum. Perfect as a birthday gift, holiday present, or a cozy addition to your shelf for a weekend of literary suspense.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.