Cryptic Crosswords

Author Kevin Skinner sheds light on the mysteries behind cryptic crosswords with an explanation of the concepts of 'double straight' clues, word exchanging, how to spot anagrams and a host of other stratagems featured in these challenging crossword puzzles. Paperback: 160 pages ISBN: 9780716020134

Test your brainpower with these cryptic puzzles from The New Yorker magazine. These puzzles are extra challenging because all the clues have two parts: a definition half and a wordplay half, with anagrams, reversals, containers, and lots of other word games built in. Edited by Fraser Simpson. Spiral-bound: 96 pages ISBN: 9780806901862

Fred wrote to tell me that his book explains how to recognize and solve all of the various cryptic clues. Included are several warmup puzzles with solving hints (which cryptic wordplay is represented) and a number of larger puzzles with no hints given. Official American Mensa Puzzle Book. By Fred Piscop Paperback: 96 pages. ISBN: 9780806977515

An introduction to the world of cryptic crosswords including a collection of Cox & Rathvon's puzzles from The Atlantic Puzzler. It includes detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to solve cryptic crosswords, as well as helpful hints for creating them. By Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon. Paperback: 272 pages ISBN: 9780812926217

New York Times puzzle experts Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon have compiled a series of 65 extra-challenging cryptic puzzles for your solving pleasure. Spiral Binding: 95 pages ISBN: 9781402721380

One of the most popular features of The Nation magazine since 1947 are Frank Lewis’ weekly cryptic crossword puzzles. This new collection is sure to delight Lewis fans and serious crossword puzzlers alike. Paperback: 160 pages ISBN: 9781560258728

The National Puzzlers' League (NPL) was founded in 1883 and is the oldest puzzlers' organization in the world. Once exclusive to the League's members, now a selection of the league's cryptic crosswords has been compiled into book form for the enjoyment of puzzle fans everywhere. Paperback: 64 pages ISBN: 9780812936605

Here's a collection of 240 cryptic crosswords from "The Daily Telegraph" with solutions at the back. Paperback: 272 pages ISBN: 9780330320290

A collection of 50 jumbo-sized cryptic crosswords from the Saturday edition of The Times newspaper. The extra large grids (27x27 squares instead of the usual 15x15) make for a more challenging puzzle solving experience. Paperback: 128 pages ISBN: 9780007232888