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Solving Cryptic Crosswords for Dummies

Paperback

Published: 13th November 2012
RRP $19.95
$13.75
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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.

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.

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Solving Cryptic Crosswords for Dummies
 
5.0

(based on 2 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

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REVIEWS

Reviewed by 2 customers

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1/10/2012

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

Yes!

By Vic

from Woy Woy

About Me Casual Reader

Pros

  • Easy To Understand
  • Encouraging
  • Informative
  • Inspirational
  • Relevant
  • Well Written

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Gift
    • Older Readers
    • Travel Reading

    Comments about Solving Cryptic Crosswords for Dummies:

    Unfolds the mysteries of understanding and solving cryptic crosswords in a way that makes the reader feel clever about themselves. Encouraging, easy to follow, yet challenging. This is the book to get if you are even remotely interested in this topic. Unsurpassed with its explanations and the way it gently but firmly leads the puzzler into the dark realm of cryptic crosswords.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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    16/8/2012

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Loving this book!

    By cryptic jane

    from Brisbane

    About Me Bookworm

    Pros

    • Deserves Multiple Readings
    • Easy To Understand
    • Informative
    • Inspirational
    • Relevant
    • Well Written
    • Witty

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Gift
      • Older Readers
      • Reference
      • Travel Reading

      Comments about Solving Cryptic Crosswords for Dummies:

      I knew I'd have a while to wait between appointments today so I left the house armed with my brand new copy of Solving Cryptic Crosswords for Dummies and a nice sharp pencil. I'm pleased to say, I had a fabulous time.

      I'm not new to cryptics; for as long as I can remember lazy holiday afternoons at our house saw both my parents and all four of my grandparents sitting around together working a cryptic crossword. Cryptic crosswords are in my blood. Still, I learned a lot today...as well as enjoying Denise Sutherland's delightful sense of humour.

      Thanks, Denise. I'll look forward to enjoying cryptic crosswords even more now I can use my newly-acquired super-powers.

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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      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

      ISBN: 9781118305256
      ISBN-10: 1118305256
      Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)
      Audience: General
      Format: Paperback
      Language: English
      Number Of Pages: 216
      Published: 13th November 2012
      Dimensions (cm): 21.0 x 14.1  x 1.709
      Weight (kg): 0.25