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Cracking Cryptic Crosswords
The aim of this book is to guide solvers and would-be solvers to advance towards the delights of the 'cryptic' variety, and second, to offer a succession of tips to those already in the promised land, on how to better approach such puzzles, and how to improve their existing skills. The 'rules of the game' are comparatively few and fairly easy to learn. In Cracking Cryptic Crosswords, Colin Dexter provides a personal and masterful guide to recognizing and interpreting the various types of crossword clue - the essential pre-requisite to success in filling in any crossword grid.
- GenresNonfiction
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2009
82 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Colin Dexter
182 books716 followersNorman Colin Dexter was an English crime writer, known for his Inspector Morse novels.
He started writing mysteries in 1972 during a family holiday: "We were in a little guest house halfway between Caernarfon and Pwllheli. It was a Saturday and it was raining - it's not unknown for it to rain in North Wales. The children were moaning ... I was sitting at the kitchen table with nothing else to do, and I wrote the first few paragraphs of a potential detective novel." Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975 and introduced the world to the character of Inspector Morse, the irascible detective whose penchants for cryptic crosswords, English literature, cask ale and Wagner reflect Dexter's own enthusiasms. Dexter's plots are notable for his use of false leads and other red herrings.
The success of the 33 episodes of the TV series Inspector Morse, produced between 1987 and 2001, brought further acclaim for Dexter. In the manner of Alfred Hitchcock, he also makes a cameo appearance in almost all episodes. More recently, his character from the Morse series, the stalwart Sgt (now Inspector) Lewis features in 12 episodes of the new ITV series Lewis. As with Morse, Dexter makes a cameo appearance in several episodes. Dexter suggested the English poet A. E. Housman as his "great life" on the BBC Radio 4 programme of that name in May 2008. Dexter and Housman were both classicists who found a popular audience for another genre of writing.
Dexter has been the recipient of several Crime Writers' Association awards: two Silver Daggers for Service of All the Dead in 1979 and The Dead of Jericho in 1981; two Gold Daggers for The Wench is Dead in 1989 and The Way Through the Woods in 1992; and a Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in 1997. In 1996 Dexter received a Macavity Award for his short story Evans Tries an O-Level. In 1980, he was elected a member of the by-invitation-only Detection Club.
In 2000, Dexter was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.
From Wikipedia
Series:
* Inspector Morse
Awards:
Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger
◊ 1979: Service of all the Dead
◊ 1981: The Dead of Jericho
Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger
◊ 1989: The Wench is Dead
◊ 1992: The Way Through the Woods
He started writing mysteries in 1972 during a family holiday: "We were in a little guest house halfway between Caernarfon and Pwllheli. It was a Saturday and it was raining - it's not unknown for it to rain in North Wales. The children were moaning ... I was sitting at the kitchen table with nothing else to do, and I wrote the first few paragraphs of a potential detective novel." Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975 and introduced the world to the character of Inspector Morse, the irascible detective whose penchants for cryptic crosswords, English literature, cask ale and Wagner reflect Dexter's own enthusiasms. Dexter's plots are notable for his use of false leads and other red herrings.
The success of the 33 episodes of the TV series Inspector Morse, produced between 1987 and 2001, brought further acclaim for Dexter. In the manner of Alfred Hitchcock, he also makes a cameo appearance in almost all episodes. More recently, his character from the Morse series, the stalwart Sgt (now Inspector) Lewis features in 12 episodes of the new ITV series Lewis. As with Morse, Dexter makes a cameo appearance in several episodes. Dexter suggested the English poet A. E. Housman as his "great life" on the BBC Radio 4 programme of that name in May 2008. Dexter and Housman were both classicists who found a popular audience for another genre of writing.
Dexter has been the recipient of several Crime Writers' Association awards: two Silver Daggers for Service of All the Dead in 1979 and The Dead of Jericho in 1981; two Gold Daggers for The Wench is Dead in 1989 and The Way Through the Woods in 1992; and a Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in 1997. In 1996 Dexter received a Macavity Award for his short story Evans Tries an O-Level. In 1980, he was elected a member of the by-invitation-only Detection Club.
In 2000, Dexter was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.
From Wikipedia
Series:
* Inspector Morse
Awards:
Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger
◊ 1979: Service of all the Dead
◊ 1981: The Dead of Jericho
Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger
◊ 1989: The Wench is Dead
◊ 1992: The Way Through the Woods
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 27, 2017
Engaging and readable, but sadly not always completely transparent in explanation. There were a couple of clues that were "obviously" x, and no further comment made, which I was unable to follow, even using reference works and with much googling.
Very dry, and attractively humourous, I would still say this was a strong introduction to cryptic crosswords.
Very dry, and attractively humourous, I would still say this was a strong introduction to cryptic crosswords.
December 17, 2013
Dexter gives a great introduction to one of my favourite activities - the cryptic crossword. With clear sections for tackling all different styles of clues, he takes the reader on a journey through the crossword, to completion. A cute little crossword at the end for Morse fans everywhere is provided.
January 6, 2012
Not a bad book, but not frightful in-depth. I adore Colin Dexter (and Morse), and it's lovely to have these links between cryptics and Morse written in this form — a nice foil to the Morse novels. Very nicely written (of course), and rather fun, but a slender volume.
April 4, 2018
I still can't do Cryptic Crosswords but I still enjoyed this read
December 5, 2024
The book is not a complete one on the subject. It's a half-done job !
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews