Customer Reviews
I don't feel completely dense anymore... - By: , 29 Mar 2006 
A very useful book for people like me who have never attempted a cryptic crossword & wonder how on earth friends even begin to break down cryptic clues.
Thank you Kevin, I've started enjoying my bus journeyin the morning now.
Lovely book (with a small caveat) - By: M. Appleton, 13 Jan 2005 
If, like me, you find cryptic crosswords from The Independent & their ilk totally impenetrable, this great little book (written by an actual compiler) will almost certainly cut through most of the mystique.
Skinner teaches the reader his own method for recognizing the different types of clue & how to go about solving them. His explanations make the derivation of the solutions extremely logical. From knowing nothing initialy, within around ten pages I managed to complete the first practice crossword without cheating once!
Now the caveat: as Skinner (quite correctly) maintains, the best way of learning how to do crosswords is to DO CROSSWORDS, which means that the last two thirds of the book are exactly that: crosswords. Having said that, they do come with fully exploded solutions (which newspaper versions lack).
This book will let you tackle cryptic crosswordsin no time at all. Definitely recommended.
An Excellent Book - By: , 11 Nov 2003 The way this book leads you through the minefield of the different types of clue gives you the confidence & skills to have a successful attempt at a "real" cryptic crossword. A very good book for taking the interested beginner into the fascinating & totally-absorbing world of cryptic crosswords. Highly recommended.
Fantastic! - By: , 11 Nov 2003 If you want to learn how to solve these "bizarre" crosswords, this is a very good book. What I particularly liked was that after you had been taught a certain technique, there was a whole crossword devoted to this particular type of clue. After a few chapters there was then a revision chapter & revision crosswords, covering all sorts of clues taught to that point. A brilliant introduction to solving cryptics.
A solid introduction - By: Adam Brooks, 23 Nov 2002 The learning curve of this book is pitched just right. Easily the best feature of the book are the sample puzzles, with answers explained on the following pages. There are 2 difficulty levels, tabloid & broadsheet, & this works well.
He explains the various tricks of the trade clearly & concisely.
Recommended.
