Cryptic Crossword Puzzles For Dummies

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

Introduction 1

Part 1: The World of Cryptic Crosswords 5

Chapter 1: Introducing Cryptic Crosswords 7

Chapter 2: Reference Lists 19

Part 2: Cryptic Crosswords 25

Chapter 3: Easy Peasy Cryptics 27

Chapter 4: Challenging Cryptics 79

Chapter 5: Treacherous Cryptics 117

Part 3: The Answers 145

Chapter 6: The Answers Revealed! 147

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 Solving Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies and Word Searches For Dummies.

• Exercise your brain
• Tackle over 50 easy, medium and difficult cryptic crosswords
• Solve puzzles with confidence!

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!

Inside...

• A short introduction to cryptic crosswords
• Brief explanations of common clue types
• Useful reference lists and tools
• Easy cryptic crosswords
• Medium-level grids
• Expert-level puzzles