Cryptic crossword puzzles

random trip report

Some cryptics I wrote:

See also: Georges Perec on crosswords.

A list of other sources (from a friend):

  • Cryptic All-Stars series by Roger Wolff. These are 5 phenomenal collections of variety cryptics, one by Roger and the others by, well, cryptic all-stars (including Henry Hook in the first couple of volumes). I can't recommend these highly enough. Tremendous value (it works out to around 42 cents a puzzle). I've emailed with Roger a couple of times, he seems like a wonderful person.
  • Patrick Berry's puzzles. There are 10 amazing free ones and 3 paid packets that are each a combination of regular and variety cryptics. I haven't done the packets, but it's Patrick Berry, so you can't go wrong.
  • National Puzzler's League Cryptic Crosswords. This is a free e-book of puzzles that get harder as you go along, also by big names.
  • Mark Halpin's webpage. I think he's one of the closest to capturing the flavor and quality of Cox/Rathvon. There are 33 puzzles under the cryptic heading. He also has links to Labor Day extravaganzas - each is a downloadable packet of various puzzles, one of which is a variety cryptic. These tend to be harder. So are the MIT ones, which he also has on his site.
  • Trip Payne's webpage. He's also very close to the Cox/Rathvon style. Scroll down to variety cryptic crosswords - you'll find 16 links, a few of which are broken.
  • Todd McClary's Jaw Dropping Puzzles. He chose a few amazing ones to feature, including by Halpin and Berry.
  • Bob Stigger's webpage.
  • Kegler's Cryptics by Ron Sweet. David Ellis Dickerson's blog. You have to sift through the easy cryptics, there are some regular level ones sandwiched in-between the beginner level. Also very much the flavor of Cox/Rathvon. He posts to this Facebook group.
  • Negroni's Workshop. I think they post to this group as well.
  • The Rackenfracker. Several free ones. I think they post to this group as well.
  • Kevin Wald's cryptics. For those unfamiliar with Wald, his crosswords contain levels upon levels of solving. It's not for everyone but definitely mind-boggling.
  • Joshua Kosman and Henry Picciotto's Out of Left Field Cryptics. Links to samples at the bottom of the page.
  • MIT Mystery Hunt cryptic crosswords. I really enjoyed this one - https://puzzles.mit.edu/2007/puzzles/pyramid_scheme/
  • Stephen Sondheim's puzzles. These are by the legend himself.
  • Omnibus site by Michael Gill. If all of the above aren't enough, this site will make your head spin with links to every crossword site imaginable.

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