The Times Cryptic Crossword Book 18 (The Times Crosswords)

I love very hard cryptic crosswords; but, unless you've spent a considerable amount of time in the U.K., the London Times Cryptic Crosswords are not very "do-able" for Americans.What made these cryptic crosswords mostly (but not completely) unenjoyable for me, an American, are:1) The differences in word spellings between British and American English.2) The considerable number of clues that require intimate knowledge of local place settings in U.K.3) Idiomatic words peculiar to the Brits.4) Vernacular phrases with which only the solvers in the U.K. could be familiar.5) The significant number of clues concerning cricket, an obscure/little-known sport in America.Having said the above, I will add...If you want a truly erudite and extraordinary challenge to your mental capacity, give these London Times cryptic crossword puzzles a chance. But don't expect to solve any of them without taking peeks at the answers. If you're an Anglophile, the upside will be that you'll learn a delightful lot about the mind set of our friends across the pond.

Too difficult for this American. :) But I enjoy the challenge.

If you like cryptics, these are the best. Just the right degree of difficulty (for me, anyway.)

same

Very good.

But I don't think the Times are as good as the Telegraph. The times tries too hard to be cute.

Just what we ordered. Great price.

I'm addicted to cryptic puzzles. Yhese are great!

As always, quick & efficient service and the book arrived in good time & in perfect order.I give 4 stars only out of spite as the puzzles are beyond me, maybe if I was a bit cleverer I'd give it five.Great challenge though, there's an example crossword at the beginning along with an explanation of the code/system of solving the clues to get you started, but there's nothing like the feeling of solving a few tough ones yourself and realising it wasn't that difficult afterall.It'll keep you occupied for hours.

My husband has been doing these ever since the first issue. They're challenging and last him a while, but it keeps him out of mischief!

The Times cryptic crossword is the best crossword in the world - what more can one say? If I cannot access the newspaper on line then I suffer withdrawal symptoms if I don't have this book with me.

Does what it says on the back, as with the previous 17

Five stars