Susie Dent’s latest novel, *Death Writ Large*, marks the second installment featuring Oxford lexicographer Martha Thornhill, following last year’s *Guilty By Definition*. In this new mystery, Thornhill encounters an enigmatic set of runes etched into a church wall, discovered in the aftermath of an acclaimed academic’s apparent suicide by jumping from the church tower.

Skeptical of the official explanation, Thornhill, along with colleagues from her dictionary-editing circle, embarks on a quest to decipher the cryptic inscription. The investigation leads them deep into the world of a controversial Oxford author known for his fascination with puzzles. This author had cultivated a devoted group of undergraduate followers known as the Cabal, whose involvement adds layers of complexity to the unfolding mystery.

Dent, who is recognized for her work in television and podcasting, uses her linguistic expertise to enrich the story with detailed and clever wordplay, maintaining a balance between intellectual engagement and entertainment throughout the novel. The narrative employs a traditional murder mystery structure, blending scholarly intrigue with the nuances of puzzle-solving, which lends the story a classic yet contemporary feel.

*Death Writ Large* extends Dent’s exploration of language and mystery, inviting readers into a cerebral thriller set against the evocative backdrop of Oxford academia. The book offers both a fresh challenge for fans of the genre and an invitation to those captivated by language and cryptic enigmas.