Wizard of words turns her pen to crime
Sunday Express|August 11, 2024
SHE PAINTS a revealing picture of her TV role... “The moment the clock starts ticking down I start to feel that adrenalin,” admits Susie.
Wizard of words turns her pen to crime

“I’ve never been bored. In a word, it’s joyful.”

Susie, 59, is talking about her role in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4’s Countdown – where she has been the resident wordsmith for more than 30 years.

The lexicographer, whose “word of the day” attracts thousands on social media, insists dictionaries bring her “drama and magic”.

So it should come as no surprise that she has turned her talents to writing. Her debut novel Guilty By Definition is set amid the spires of Oxford. Think Agatha Christie meets Countdown, with twists, turns and clues to be deciphered as the story unfolds.

And Susie says she sees plenty of parallels between being a word detective and a real detective.

She explains: “We are always looking for clues and digging for evidence – looking for the footprints that lead you to the answer.

“I’ve always loved that parallel and I thought that if I set my book in a world I love and know, then maybe it won’t be as daunting as it feels like now.

“A lot of it is autobiographical but I had to resist putting everything about myself in and making the main character Martha sufficiently different. I’m a worrier and I don’t think Martha is.

“I wonder if subconsciously I was deliberately making Martha the person I would like to be. She doesn’t anticipate the worst. I’m going to be more Martha!”

Despite writing many non-fiction books, she is fretting about how her novel will be received.

“They say write about what you know and Oxford is a city that I love,” says Susie.

“But also I wanted to disrupt the stereotype that it’s very privileged and entirely constructed of these dreamy spires. It’s so much more.

“It has its share of deprived areas and a darker underbelly as well.

“It’s not all Inspector Morse – although Colin Dexter did bring out the dark side sometimes.”

This story is from the August 11, 2024 edition of Sunday Express.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 11, 2024 edition of Sunday Express.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SUNDAY EXPRESSView All
Brownhill brilliant for Parker's men
Sunday Express

Brownhill brilliant for Parker's men

SKIPPER Josh Brownhill's insatiable appetite for goals made it nine unbeaten games on the spin for Scrooge-like Burnley.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Japan favours 39 authentic flavours of UK
Sunday Express

Japan favours 39 authentic flavours of UK

A TRADING breakthrough means much of Britain's best-loved food and drink could soon appear more often on menus in Japan.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Sunday Express

Alarm over 'epidemic of loneliness'

FEELING lonely at Christmas could affect around 32 million people, research suggests.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Great War airfield can reach for skies once more
Sunday Express

Great War airfield can reach for skies once more

THE best preserved First World War airfield has secured its future for another year thanks to the generosity of the public.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Sir Elton won't let the sun go down on writing new songs
Sunday Express

Sir Elton won't let the sun go down on writing new songs

SIR ELTON John has revealed he is working on new songs despite having quit touring and suffering a severe infection that has left him unable to see out of his right eye.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Sunday Express

World Cup hero George dies

TRIBUTES have flooded in for George Eastham, a member of England's winning 1966 World Cup squad whose death was announced yesterday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Should I quit while I'm ahead, ponders Lesley as 70th looms
Sunday Express

Should I quit while I'm ahead, ponders Lesley as 70th looms

SOPRANO Lesley Garrett has revealed her impending 70th birthday has made her think about quitting singing.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024
French truckers' threat over checks for migrants
Sunday Express

French truckers' threat over checks for migrants

SURLY French lorry drivers have threatened to block goods from entering the UK unless checks to stop migrants arriving become more lenient.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Sunday Express

Biden could save 40 from death row

PRESIDENT Joe Biden is considering commuting the death sentences of most - if not all of the 40 prisoners awaiting execution in US federal jails, it has been revealed.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
'Time to come clean on mystery drones'
Sunday Express

'Time to come clean on mystery drones'

DONALD Trump has urged President Joe Biden to explain thousands of sightings of mysterious, SUV-sized drones reported across at least five US states.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024