The puzzles occupy the “challenging”, mid-range territory, striking a balance between the accessible and the unattainable. Each includes a handful of clues from both ends of the spectrum: relatively easy ones, allowing solvers a way in, and toughies, that stretch the cerebral powers much more. All the advice you’ll need: the first section of the book, based on Chambers Crossword Manual, is full of practical tips on how approach a crossword and understand the different clue types. All the practice you’ll need: included as part of the manual section, are over thirty actual crossword puzzles, complete with detailed explanations of the solutions. Put your feet up and escape from it all with The Chambers Book of Cryptic Crosswords featuring a ‘ton’ of cryptic challenges to give your brain a workout. Derek Arthur (1945-2010), co-editor of The Listener crossword in The Times and of The Chambers Crossword Dictionary, 2nd edition A dictionary of words and phrases often encountered in cryptic crossword clues - words that may mean something more,

Peter Biddlecombe, The Sunday Times crossword editor and The Times Crossword Championship winner (2000, 2007) All the solutions you’ll need: for the first time ever, the Chambers Crossword Companion brings together the two most important crossword-solvers tools: The Chambers Crossword Dictionary and Chambers Complete Crossword Lists, fully integrated with each other. All the history you’ll need: the Companion is introduced by a brilliant essay by crossword guru Don Manley explaining ‘The History of Crosswords in Ten Clues’. More than 2,500 crossword code words alerting you to cryptic ploys – Over 19,500 ‘one-stop’ entries, with both synonyms and encyclopaedic material, for extra guidance in finding the right answerThe Chambers Crossword Dictionary is the perfect tool for any crossword solver – and you know it because it is used by the setters themselves! Jonathan Crowther, better known to cryptic crossword solvers as Azed, having set crosswords for The Observer for over 40 years