PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 13TH 2026

A brand-new linguistic mystery from Countdown's resident lexicographer, Susie Dent, set in the city of Oxford

**AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW**

A mysterious letter. A silenced scholar. A city paved with injustice.

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 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.

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FOR THE DEDICATIONS.

ONCE YOU PURCHASE A COPY, I'LL EMAIL YOU (IT MAY TAKE A DAY OR TWO, SO PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME!), ASKING YOU WHAT YOU'D LIKE SUSIE TO WRITE IN THE BOOK.

I'LL GET THE DEDICATIONS SENT OVER TO SUSIE.

PLEASE DON'T MAKE THEM TOO LONG!

As Susie points out, "obscure insults/compliments a speciality", so let me know if you'd like this!

SUSIE & I WILL MEET UP AROUND PUBLICATION DATE TO SORT OUT ALL THE REQUESTS.

THE BOOKS WILL THEN BE POSTED OUT.

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£1.50 P+P IN THE UK

(My website only accepts paypal, so if you'd like this, but don't want to use paypal, email biggreenbooks@gmail.com, and we can sort out an alternative)

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