The Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword Book 14: 50 of the World's Most Challenging Crossword Puzzles (Times Crosswords)

Bring your A game, because the Times cryptic crosswords will require intense puzzle solving.

Love this book, the size, the puzzles, everything about it!

Fun

I buy these Times cryptic books as gifts for my Dad who is English and has been doing this type of puzzle for 40 years. You should be aware that these are not at all like typical US newspaper crossword puzzles - the NY Times puzzle for example. Cryptic puzzles have their own set of rules for the clues almost none of which are to be taken literally. Some key words will mean the answer will be an anagram, or to add or remove letters, the opposite meaning and so forth. You'll also need strong knowledge of British culture and history. They are tough. I grew up in the US and can do my local paper puzzles no problem but am clueless with these because I don't know the clue rules.

Very challenging for me, who usually finds NY Times Sunday puzzles too easy. Getting many hours of entertainment. Find that a fair number of clues are impenetrable even after looking up the answers.

You can't beat the Times Crosswords for exercising your brain! Nothing else can match them!

all good

We normally manage to complete a Telegraph cryptic crossword in around 3/4 of an hour - could be quicker, could take significantly longer if there are a few really tricky clues. These crosswords are bigger and, from the ones we've done so far, quite a bit harder - whether we'll get better when we get on the setters' wavelengths, who knows. But we're enjoying the challenge and have just had another edition delivered - must be mad!

Yet more challenging fun crosswords. Good brain workout.

Bought for my husband to keep him quiet. Did the trick. Not easy but worthwhile!