Temporarily out of stock
A brand-new linguistic mystery from Countdown’s resident lexicographer, Susie Dent, set in the city of Oxford
When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from a runic alphabet created by a deceased fantasy 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 to be a 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.
ISBN: 9781804187258
Publication date: 18/08/2026
Price: $37.99
RRP: $37.99
Format: Paperback
Temporarily out of stock
Publishing status: Due August
Author: Dent, Susie
Series: Clarendon Lexicographers
Imprint: Bonnier
