Susie Dent is a logophile, so it was no surprise to come across a treasure trove of unusual words, along with a cracking plot: an excellent, articulate and perfectly formed novel. (An office team of lexicographers, led by Martha, is sent on a hunt for a very unique bit of literal history, via very cryptic messages, and the discovery of which, could answer the mystery of the disappearance of Martha's sister some years earlier. (See About the Book below.)
Dent uses some wonderful words and phrases you've never heard of before. Some of them really ought to be in current usage. How delightful are words like 'conjobble', ipsedixitism, 'broggle', 'cherubimical' and a whole lot more. I'm not spoiling it, though…you'll have to look them up to discover what they mean...or better still, read the book!
I went from page to page, enthralled by the story, but equally captivated by Dent's wonderful colourful writing.
She's written a few non-fiction books, but I sincerely hope this isn't the last we see of her in the fiction arena. Martha and her team would make a very good team of sleuths.
Well done, Susie, ten out of ten!
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