Spydle: An Addictive Puzzle Book Packed with Historic Espionage Mysteries

by The National Archives, Laura Jayne Ayres, Gareth Moore (primary_contributor)

Decode messages, untangle clues, and test your logic with 134 addictive and exciting Murdle-style puzzles based on 500 years of British espionage history, from Britain's preeminent puzzle master with the support of The National Archives, UK.

Britain's leading puzzle master, Dr. Gareth Moore, has plumbed the depths of the UK's National Archives to transform the best in espionage history into 134 thrilling puzzles that you can solve from the comfort of your couch. Decipher encoded messages to stop treason in its tracks, assemble clues to intercept dangerous missives, and put your logic to the test as you uncover enemy locations and support rescue missions. 

Spydle puts you right into the center of the action with tales of espionage and intrigue from Thomas Cromwell's spy network to Guy Fawkes, Mata Hari, the Enigma machine, and more. With puzzles across an array of difficulty levels, alongside photographs of the real papers, cyphers, and spies from throughout British history, Spydle is a must-have activity book for the spy, sleuth, and mystery lover in all of us.

Genres: Puzzles, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

Published November 26, 2024

Reviews

[Christine Barth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, fun, a variety of puzzles and lots of spy facts. I also appreciated that the puzzles didn't necessarily build on each other so you could skip one and come back. I think British people would have an advantage because I didn't know some of the hints.
Also the sudoku type puzzles with letters were the bane of my existence.

[Maria Merrill]

Very fun

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating spy history and fun puzzles

[Abeer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favourite Quote: The fictional British Secret service agent is aided in his daring exploits by gadgets supplied by Q branch, such as the infamous booby trapped attaché case. This incredible device was, in face, a real invention from the Second World War and was primed to explode when the lid was opened. Flemming himself worked in British Naval Intelligence and conceived Operation Goldeneye, a wartime plan to splay on General Franc’s Spain, so it is unsurprising that his wartime experience gave inspiration to his novels.

Favourite Quote: Kings were expected to hide their thinking from all but their closest advisers, partly because household spies were an accepted fact of elite life in the past. Even if it only resulted in gossip and did not cause a political crisis, monarchs required their officials to keep secret any knowledge that touched the wellbeing of the king or the health of the realm.

An engaging read packed with fascinating facts! It was a refreshing change from my usual choices, and I found the facts more enjoyable than solving the puzzles themselves. That said, I was pleasantly surprised at how skilled I was at certain ones. However, some of the puzzle text wasn’t very clear, so took me a while to figure out. A glossary would have been a fantastic addition!