[.ca] Hidden Code of Cryptic Crosswords (ISBN 0572027788)

Awkward:
This book is rather muddled. In an attempt to explicate the workings of the cryptic clue, the author has invented a bewildering variety of terms (e.g. olapsek, parabrebit) that makes the text more confusing than the clues themselves. Poor organization and type design exacerbate the problem. It does list quite a few of the standard equivalencies found in (British) puzzles, and is somewhat useful in that regard, but beginners will find the Random House guide to be much more helpful.

The Daily Mail - Books on Friday, 4 April 2003:
If you are totally baffled by cryptic crosswords, and irritated that other people can whizz through them, here at last is a book that cracks open the code. With clever use of underlining and italics, this book unscrambles and demystifies hundreds, if not thousands of fiendish clues. It also explains many of the tricks of the trade; for example there are reams of words like chewed, drunken and rebuilt which indicate you've got to mix up the letters you are given and make an anagram. Love usually means 0 (like in tennis), five usually means you need a V (like the Roman numeral) while Loud often indicates ff (from the musical notation for forte). Very clear and authorative for beginners or old crossword hands. Georgia Metcalfe

A new language fully explained:
"By reading this new book the complete novice will find plenty of good advice on how to go about getting started on solving cryptic crosswords. In breaking down and examining the words that are used in example clues, the author gives insights into how to arrive at correct answers with a fresh approach. After a very few hours with this book most people should be able to start filling in answers to the puzzles found in most magazines and newspapers with confidence... the pleasure of understanding a new language fully explained."

A new language fully explained.:
By reading this new book the complete novice will find plenty of good advice on how to go about getting started on solving cryptic crosswords. In breaking down and examining the words that are used in example clues, the author gives insights into how to arrive at correct answers with a fresh approach. After a very few hours with this book most people should be able to start filling in answers to the puzzles found in most magazines and newspapers with confidence... the pleasure of understanding a new language fully explained.