These puzzles - taken from the celebrated pages of The New Yorker magazine - offer more challenges per 'empty square' than the average crossword! Every cryptic has a twist, a little something extra, a double-dose of difficulty. That's because the clues all have two parts: a definition half and a wordplay half, with anagrams, reversals, containers, and lots of other word games built in. For example, here's a clue: 'Reportedly lost in fog. (4 letters).' Got it? It's 'mist' - a homonym for 'missed' and also a synonym for 'fog'. An introduction enlightens you on all the intricacies of solving cryptic crosswords, and of course the solutions appear at the end with tricks behind the clues explained. It may take a little practice to get the hang of these, but once you do, you'll be hooked for good!

Tired of the same old crossword clues? Want to put some spice into your solving? Then try this follow-up to the popular 101 Cryptic Crosswords, from former puzzle editor of The New Yorker Fraser Simpson. Unlike conventional crosswords, these quirky puzzles use clues that combine straightforward definitions with clever wordplay. For example, "Hit friends back” is the clue for SLAP, which means "hit” but is also PALS reversed ("friends back”). You’ll also encounter homophones, hidden words, charades, deletions, pig Latin, and more. These mind-twisting puzzles are sure to give you hours of head-scratching, pencil-chewing fun.

This game changing guide to crosswords will improve your skills while exploring the hows, whys, and history of the crossword and its evolution over time, from antiquity to the age of LOL and MINAJ. Crossword puzzles have a language all their own. Packed full of trick clues, trivia about common answers, and crossword trends, Crosswordese is a delightful celebration of the crossword lexicon and its checkered history of wordplay and changing cultural references. Much, much more than a dictionary, this is a playful, entertaining, and educational read for word gamers and language lovers. The perfect present or gift for yourself, Crosswordese will be a hit with crossword puzzlers of all skill levels, word nerds, fans of all varieties of word games, and language enthusiasts. • BEYOND CROSSWORDS: Hooked on crosswords? Now you can discover even more to enjoy about the history and trivia behind the terms and clues you love. • FOR BEGINNERS, EXPERTS, AND WORD NERDS ALIKE: Beginners will find it a boon to their solving skills; veteran crossworders will learn more about the vocabulary they employ every morning; and those interested in language will have plenty of "Aha!" moments. • CROSSWORD PUZZLES INCLUDED! The author has specially created a number of puzzles based on the book's content inside!

Give your brain a workout with 100 puzzles from Chambers, the most crossword-friendly dictionary in the world Put your feet up and escape from it all with The Chambers Book of Cryptic Crosswords featuring a 'ton' of cryptic challenges to give your brain a workout. In each puzzle there are one or two easy clues to provide a way in, and all the solutions, bar the odd exception, can be found in the Chambers Dictionary. No specialist knowledge is required: if you have a good grasp of the English language and an interest in words, you should be able to crack the clues. This collection is designed to provide a fair challenge for seasoned experts, but also give 'average solvers' a decent chance of completing the puzzles. Entertaining, fun and challenging enough to tax even the most seasoned crossword aficionado, you'll need quick wits to go head-to-head with Chambers.

This A4 book teaches beginners how to solve cryptic crosswords. It starts with the simplest ideas and easiest types of cryptic clue, and gradually builds to the advanced aspects of clue solving. This approach makes learning easier. Written explanations are supported by diagrams, each topic is followed by exercises to reinforce the key learning points, and every chapter ends with practice puzzles to consolidate skill development. The book will provide you with a comprehensive, structured learning route to an enjoyable and stimulating pastime.

The cryptic crossword world explained the fun and easy way Even expert crossword-solvers struggle with cryptics. The clues can often seem nonsensical, mysterious and infuriating, but finally cracking them is immensely satisfying. Solving Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies is designed to help even the most casual crossword lover master these mental feats of gymnastics. Packed with clear explanations, helpful hints, and practice crosswords, the book explains how to approach these problems in a clear and logical manner, providing hints on identifying the different kinds of clues and tips on how to solve them. Explains cryptic crosswords, from the (relatively) simple to advanced puzzles Guides readers through common and not-so-common clues to help decipher even the most confusing cryptics Illustrates the top tips, tricks, and clues to cracking any cryptic Includes practice puzzles to put your new skills to the test Covers both Commonwealth and U.S. style cryptics and highlights the subtle differences between each Cryptic crosswords have emerged as one of today's most popular brainteasers, and Solving Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies is the one-stop resource for becoming a puzzle pro.

Six murders. One hundred pages. Millions of possible combinations... but only one is correct. Can you solve Torquemada's murder mystery? 'If James Joyce and Agatha Christie had a literary love child, this would be it.' The Daily Telegraph In 1934, the Observer's cryptic crossword compiler, Edward Powys Mathers (aka Torquemada), released a novel that was simultaneously a murder mystery and the most fiendishly difficult literary puzzle ever written. The pages have been printed in an entirely haphazard order, but it is possible - through logic and intelligent reading - to sort the pages into the only correct order, revealing six murder victims and their respective murderers. Only three puzzlers have ever solved the mystery of Cain's Jawbone: do you have what it takes to join their ranks? Please note: this puzzle is extremely difficult and not for the faint-hearted. 'A unique hybrid of word puzzle and whodunnit.' Literary Review

Put your cryptic-cracking skills to use! With over 50 puzzles and 1,750 clues for you to conquer, Cryptic Crossword Puzzles for Dummies is filled with cryptics that range from (relatively) simple to expert-level, along with brief explanations of the most common types of clues and helpful hints on how to solve them. Used on its own or as a companion to Solving Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies, this book will keep your brain busy for hours! Apply the basics: use fundamental rules to solve puzzles Build your solving skills: practise consistently on various grid types Tackle pesky anagrams: decode anagram clues aplenty Use sums to find the answer: add and subtract letters to get the correct word Detect double definitions: answer hints with more than one meaning Explore hidden messages: become a master at uncovering unseen solutions

Cryptic Crossword Heaven is written by a crossword addict for crossword lovers. For the cryptic crossword aficionado, its 50 puzzles will provide hours of brain-twisting fun.

An entertaining collection of witty feminist crosswords from some of today's best woman and nonbinary puzzle-makers today. Join the crossword revolution! Indie-crossword favorite the Inkubator was launched to embrace a diverse community of constructors, long underrepresented in the mainstream puzzle world. These immensely engaging grids from women and woman-aligned puzzle writers are fun, relatable, and often surprising with clever, original clues that speak our language. Enjoy hours of satisfying solving as you dive into inclusive puzzles that truly reflect modern life, from dating apps to activism, to the occasional body part--almost nothing is off-limits, except outdated crosswordese. This collection includes 100 easy to challenging crosswords, complete solutions, and a section of cryptic and meta puzzles. Crossword fans of all levels are sure to love tackling these playful mind-twisters.