Secrets of the Setters : How to Solve the Guardian Crossword

by Hugh Stephenson

Packed with examples from the Guardian's celebrated compilers—from Araucaria and Rufus to Bunthorne and Janus— Secrets of the Setters explains how all the different types of cryptic clues work. It shows you how to unravel the elliptical language and how to spot the tricks of the compiler's trade. The book also includes a large selection of practice puzzles and a handy list of words and letters that setters commonly use as their cryptic building blocks.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this does not help, nothing will!

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first chapter is a nifty history of crosswords and the characters that set them. The rest is a step-by-step training for different kinds of cryptic clues & practice puzzles.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still rarely finish the damn things.