The cryptic crossword world…explained 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.
Using worked examples and clear explanations, the book guides the reader through the common and not-so-common clues that can be used to decipher even the most confusing cryptics, and includes practice puzzles to put your new skills to the test.
- Introduces and explains cryptic crosswords, from the (relatively) simple to the advanced
- Illustrates the top tips, tricks, and clues to cracking any cryptic through worked examples
- Covers both Commonwealth and U.S.-style cryptics, and explains the subtle differences between them
- Provides plenty of practice crosswords for all levels of difficulty
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.
Table of Contents:
Introduction 1 Part I: Diving Into the World of Cryptic Crosswords 5
Chapter 1: Introducing Cryptic Crosswords 7
Chapter 2: Untangling Anagrams 23
Chapter 3: Charade Clues: Piecing Together Linked Words 33
Chapter 4: Putting Words Inside Words 45
Chapter 5: Using Subtraction 53
Chapter 6: Examining Reversals 61
Chapter 7: Decoding Homophones 69
Chapter 8: Interpreting Double Definitions 79
Chapter 9: Revealing Hidden Words 89
Chapter 10: Letter Gathering: Abbreviations and Other Oddments 97
Chapter 11: Enjoying Cryptics Around the Globe 111
Part II: Sample Cryptic Crosswords 119
Chapter 12: Easy Peasy Cryptics 121
Chapter 13: Challenging Cryptics 139
Chapter 14: Treacherous Cryptics 149
Part III: Hints and Answers 159
Chapter 15: Hints 161
Chapter 16: Answers 167
Part IV: The Part of Tens 173
Chapter 17: Ten Tips for Being a Better Solver 175
Chapter 18: Ten (Plus Two!) Puzzling Resources 181
Appendix: Word Lists 187
About the Author :
Denise Sutherland is a syndicated puzzle author. Her crosswords, word searches and other puzzles appear in a range of publications around the world, and she has written many puzzle books, including Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies and Word Searches For Dummies.
