- Paperback: 248 pages
- Publisher: Radge Publishing (5 July 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0980637244
- ISBN-13: 978-0980637243
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 339,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Barbara Gettinby has been compiling cryptic crosswords for more than 20 years. Frustrated when compilers did not reveal how they constructed the clues, Barbara decided to start compiling clues with detailed answers herself. Barbara has released 10 magazines and two books. Cryptic Crossword Secrets - Where EVERY answer is FULLY explained is her third. Cryptic Crossword Secrets contains 75 crossword puzzles including both cryptic clues, straight clues and solutions. If you are having trouble solving the cryptic clue, use the straight clue for assistance. Still can't solve it? Check the answer for a full explanation.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
This review is based on the identically-titled free e-book on the author's website and the pages visible here with "Look Inside". The book is sound enough but potential purchasers need to be aware that it's from Australia and reflects the puzzles published there. These are mostly "middlebrow" cryptics rather than the more challenging ones found in papers like the Times or the Daily Telegraph. After an introductory section explaining the various clue types (with 2 or 3 examples for each), you get a set of puzzles (about 75 I would guess from the page count), for which you get both cryptic and straight clues, and answers with explanation showing why they're the answers.
Some clues and advice are contrary to what you'd hope to read about good puzzles: "Initials: Compilers feel free to use only the initial from almost any word - Black B White W Cold C Hot H Energy E Year Y etc". This may seem to be the way compilers work (and might be an accurate description for some), but unless their clue includes "a bit of" or similar, they should only use words to indicate their initial letters when those letters are recorded as abbreviations for the words in an appropriate dictionary - they should not just be invented as required.
"Keen for a new joint (4) KNEE" - a fairly typical clue, with a fault which would have it excluded from good puzzles - "for a new" does not indicate a new order for the word "knee" - it's just a phrase with a word vaguely suggesting an anagram ("new"), and other stuff ("for a") which is there to support the clue's surface reading but plays no part in the cryptic reading. On a practical level it doesn't matter that much because KNEE is a familiar word and "joint" is an easy definition, but the effect is that because the clues are not very precise, the vocabulary and definitions have to be easy or you wouldn't be sure enough of the answers. I know it's going to sound intellectually snobbish, but these are "poor relation" puzzles - the puzzles in the UK broadsheet papers are harder, but much more rewarding - I can't imagine laughing at these clues or remembering them in the way that solvers remember their favourite cryptic clues. And when you get an answer in a good puzzle, you usually know for certain that it is the answer, because of the tighter rules followed by good setters.
Some clues and advice are contrary to what you'd hope to read about good puzzles: "Initials: Compilers feel free to use only the initial from almost any word - Black B White W Cold C Hot H Energy E Year Y etc". This may seem to be the way compilers work (and might be an accurate description for some), but unless their clue includes "a bit of" or similar, they should only use words to indicate their initial letters when those letters are recorded as abbreviations for the words in an appropriate dictionary - they should not just be invented as required.
"Keen for a new joint (4) KNEE" - a fairly typical clue, with a fault which would have it excluded from good puzzles - "for a new" does not indicate a new order for the word "knee" - it's just a phrase with a word vaguely suggesting an anagram ("new"), and other stuff ("for a") which is there to support the clue's surface reading but plays no part in the cryptic reading. On a practical level it doesn't matter that much because KNEE is a familiar word and "joint" is an easy definition, but the effect is that because the clues are not very precise, the vocabulary and definitions have to be easy or you wouldn't be sure enough of the answers. I know it's going to sound intellectually snobbish, but these are "poor relation" puzzles - the puzzles in the UK broadsheet papers are harder, but much more rewarding - I can't imagine laughing at these clues or remembering them in the way that solvers remember their favourite cryptic clues. And when you get an answer in a good puzzle, you usually know for certain that it is the answer, because of the tighter rules followed by good setters.
Format:Paperback
I like the book because I have been able, eventually, to do the crosswords. The explanation of the solution to the clues is helpful. The advice beforehand is a bit thin. Although not an expert, obviously, in solving cryptics I get the impression of a limited range of types of clue - but this could be my inexperience. So good but could be better.
Format:Paperback
Thank you so much, Barbara, for taking the time to explain all the cryptic crossword solutions. I have tried cryptics before without success. Your puzzles are great - if I get stuck on a cryptic clue, I can use the straight clues or check the answers that are all fully explained. Wonderful!
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