GUILTY BY DEFINITION

Louise Brealey's marvelous performance of Susie Dent's enthralling debut mystery is so enticing that one wishes it would last forever. The story does end, but not before Brealey beguiles us with revealing characterizations and beautifully paced conversations. When lexicographer Martha Thornhill returns to Oxford after years abroad, she begins work at the Clarendon English Dictionary. Soon, she and others begin receiving messages about the long-ago death of her sister. Then people start to die. As Martha and her colleagues struggle to understand what's happening, they solve cryptic puzzles, analyze clues, and toss words back and forth in witty conversation. Throughout, Brealey's warm voice audibly relishes the intricate plot, which celebrates logophiles and mystery lovers. A bonus interview with Susie Dent is an added delight. A.C.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2025]