Cryptic Crosswords Unmasked, by Jim Greenfield (Reed Publishing, $9.99):
If you’re a puzzled puzzle fan, this might just be the perfect book for you.
For the legions of cryptic crossword fans out there, uncovering the method of solving the clue is just as rewarding as finding the actual answer.
However, if you’re one of those puzzlers who find cryptic crosswords akin to a foreign language, this book can help.
Originally released in 2001, the popularity of this little book has led to an updated and extended version.
Author Jim Greenfield compiles crosswords for both the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly magazine and the Northland Age newspaper, so there’s no doubt he knows his stuff. With 11 crosswords to practise on and 35 types of cryptic clues explained, this book is sure to lift the veil of mystery surrounding these beastly little lexicons.