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Many friends say, “I can’t solve cryptic crosswords but do wish I could!” Tim Moorey’s ‘How to Master the Times Crossword – The Times Cryptic Crossword Demystified’ is a fine solution to that problem.

The book is, too, a valuable asset for anyone who already has some notions of the way cryptic crosswords work since Tim Moorey goes in detail into all the different types of clue that appear in the Times crossword. He gives hints to help you through that depressing moment when you feel that the puzzle has defeated you and you can go no further, ‘Ten things to consider when stuck’, and useful abbreviations, practice clues to try, practice puzzles and much more. This is an invaluable guide.

Tim Moorey is a familiar name to cryptic crossword enthusiasts. The name frequently appears in clue-writing competitions. He is a prolific setter who has competed in the annual Times crossword competition, runs crossword workshops and is the current ‘Cluru’ – the Clue Guru who can be consulted by puzzled solvers in the Times Crossword Club.

For any crossword aficionado, this is a great and often entertaining read. I particularly enjoyed an entire page devoted to the way the word ‘TIME’ could be clued in each of the different types of clue. At one point, Tim Moorey says that there is scientific evidence that tackling a crossword can be good for you. Reading his book certainly can!

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