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Death Writ Large

The unmissable new Sunday Times bestselling Oxford-based linguistic murder mystery from leading lexicographer and star of Countdown, Susie Dent

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Death Writ Large

By: Susie Dent
Narrated by: Louise Brealey
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When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from an alphabet created by a deceased writer whose papers she once worked on. But this is no publicity stunt, and tensions intensify when further graffiti is found near the body of a university lecturer.

Martha is not the only one to have doubts when the suspicious death is assumed by police as suicide. Called upon to lend their linguistic expertise to the case, Martha and her colleagues begin to unearth a tragedy that extends beyond the ancient walls of the university. As new messages portend more death, it's clear that a spirit of vengeance is stalking the city's streets, and may be reaching out towards them too. Amateur Sleuths Crime Fiction Mystery Women Sleuths
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I really enjoyed this as an easy weekday listen while multitasking chores and cooking. It’s not completely obvious who’s behind what’s happening, so there definitely is some suspense to keep you going throughout the book. It’s an easy listen, nothing too taxing. I do think these are books that might be worth actually reading so you can marinate on the words chosen in the titles and in the story itself, something that gets slightly lost in the listening perhaps. I enjoyed the performance, the spoken word being pleasant to listen to.

A gentle easy listen, with some interesting wordplay.

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A great read. Love the integration of murder, puzzles and language, the story narrative combo I never thought I needed ❤️

What’s not to love?

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I thoroughly enjoyed this second book by the talented Susie Dent, possibly even more than her first. Lovely characters, highly original story and erudite with trying too hard to be clever.

Original and beautifully crafted

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Interesting characters, very pleased to be reaquainted with them after listening to the first book last year. I very much enjoy the etymology lessons interspersed through the story as well. Overall a good story, well paced and written.
Looking forward to more in this series (hopefully)

Like catching up with old friends

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Just a 2 for narration. I think Louise Brearly is a fantastic actress but I don’t like the way she reads this book. Everything sounds so flat and all the characters sound the same which is really confusing for an audio book. She gives a couple of them accents or different tones but mostly all one note. Please change the narrator for the next books for someone with range.

The story itself is great, fille with wonderful language. And full marks for including apricity! I’ve trying to use this as much as I can since I saw SD talk.

I very much look forward to the next book already.

Would have been all 5 stars but…

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