Half a million people a day do it in the Telegraph. The Times claims almost as many, and the Guardian 300,000. Most people remember their first time, and everyone has a favourite. You can do it in bed, standing up, or on a train. You can do it alone, with a loved one or in groups. The Queen does it in the bath. It is not illegal, immoral or fattening. In fact it tops the Home Office list of approved entertainments for prison inmates. Crosswords are a very British obsession. Crosswords are a very British obsession. Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose is a personal reminiscence and a guide to solving crossword puzzles. But it is much, much more than a 'how-to' book. Each chapter is starts with a clue, and uses anecdote, history and autobiography to solve it, in the process describing something of what it means to love England. In the process, we encounter The Best Crossword Clue Ever, The Most Beautiful Clue in the World 'Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose' and the eccentric personalities behind such legendary compilers as the Guardian's Araucaria and The Times'Ximenes. Reviews for Pretty Girl In Crimson Rose 'An extraordinary memoir... a positive page turner... A mesh of journeys and destinations, politics and romance, it touches what is beyond words.' Sophie Ratcliffe, The Times 'You don't have to be a crossword nut to appreciate Sandy Balfour's tremendously beguiling Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose (8).' John Walsh, Independent 'A little gem of a memoir... The book adds up to more than a sum of its parts and lingers in the memory long after the final page' Val Gilbert, Sunday Telegraph 'Charming, knowledgeable and gripping' Nicholas Lezard, Guardian 'A touching tribute to his partner... you close it feeling you have encountered a modest man of humour, compassion and common sense, who wears his wisdom lightly' Economist 'A real charmer... this reviewer's verdict on Balfour's book: Touching success when foils clash at Elsinore (1,8,3) - A PALPABLE HIT' Kevin Jackson, Spectator 'A book to make writers curse themselves for not having thought of the idea first, but to make readers hug themselves that Sandy Balfour did. A delight' Alan Coren'Sandy Balfour's memoir Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose (8) is like a great crossword clue - I couldn't put it down until I'd worked it out.' Clive James

The Simplex Crossword formula has been hugely successful and made bestsellers of all six books. Appearing daily in the Irish Times for over forty years, the crossword has attracted a devoted following. Simplex 1 contains: 60 Simplex crosswords Space for recording time taken Scribble space 60 solutions

For the first time, a large-format omnibus that includes 500 of the popular New York Times mini crossword puzzles: a lot of little puzzles in a big ol' book! The next big thing in puzzles is also the smallest! We rounded up 500 mini puzzles from our previous volumes and collected them all in this big, beautiful book. It's chock-full of fun in easy and convenient bite-sized portions that you can complete in 1 minute or less.

Seeking something different to test your crossword skills? Professor Rebus is back with a sixth volume in this best-selling series of perplexing pictogram puzzles! A unique cross between crossword and cryptic visual puzzle, Pitcherwits are the Daily Mail's post popular puzzle, and perfect for crossword fans looking to put their deductive skills to the test! Whether you're looking for a relaxed evening in or setting off on a long commute, Pitcherwits Volume 6 is the ultimate companion.

This clever little book of crosswords has been put together by a professional crossworld compiler and a very well-known professor of classics. The clues are all in English but the answers are almost all in Latin! This is not a scholarly book - anyone whose schooldays taught them amo, amas, amat will be able to make a stab at many of the puzzles. And some of the answers are obvious even if you have no Latin at all - e.g. Q. Existing condition of a very old pop group? (6,3) A. Status Quo! Still for those who enjoy a challenge, the puzzles do get harder as you work your way through the book, ending up with some really fiendish ones. There are still lots of jokes along the way.

Dive into the latest jumbo collection of quick crosswords from The Telegraph. With more than 300 quick-fire puzzles to choose from, The Telegraph Big Book of Quick Crosswords 7 is the perfect companion for any commute or spare moment at home. Packed with fiendishly fun clues, this latest edition will provide hours of entertainment.

*** Test your knowledge and speed with this brand new edition of quick crosswords from the Daily Mail. With more than 400 quick crosswords to choose from, this bumper collection is the perfect way to enjoy some spare time and flex that grey matter simultaneously. The Daily Mail Big Book of Quick Crosswords Volume 4 is the ideal companion for puzzle enthusiasts.

Celebrate more than ninety-five years of Simon & Schuster crossword puzzle excellence with this engaging collection of 300 new, never-before-published crosswords, designed for fans of all skill levels. In 1924, Simon & Schuster published its first title, The Cross Word Puzzle Book. Not only was it the publisher's first release, it was the first collection of crossword puzzles ever printed. Today, more than ninety-five years later, Simon & Schuster's legendary crossword puzzle book series continues with this new and engaging collection, offering hours of stimulation for solvers of every level. Created by the best contemporary constructors--and edited by top puzzle master John M. Samson--it's designed with convenience in mind and features perforated pages so you can tear out puzzles individually and work on them on-the-go. This new super-sized book will delight existing fans and challenge new puzzle enthusiasts as they discover this timeless and unique collection of puzzles.

Expert crossword compiler and solver Kevin Skinner shows in easy steps how to solve those trickier puzzles. Once you recognize the type of clue used, you're half way to finding the answer. Learn to spot: * Double straight clues * Double meaning clues * Word exchange clues * Homophone clues * Anagrams * And all the other clever clues beloved of crossword compilers Work your way through the example crosswords provided and hone your new-found skills. The explanations show how the answers are arrived at, so you can see precisely how each clue works. Next time you come across a clue of the same type, you'll be able to tease out the answer for yourself and beat the compiler at their own game!

One hundred large print medium-difficulty crosswords will exercise your mind while being easy on the eyes. Designed with one puzzle grid per spread and 16-point type, these large print crosswords present hours of puzzle-solving fun and relaxation. Solutions section included.

The UK's most popular puzzle book! Daily Mail All New Quick Crosswords 10 is a brand new collection of demanding puzzles from the Daily Mail. With 200 grids in a variety of difficulties, these puzzles are sure to put minds of all ages and abilities through their paces. Perfect when facing the daily commute, or for passing a spare moment at home, these fun brainteasers are guaranteed to entertain any crossword fan.

With more than 50,000 new words added-now over 225,000 entries-the world's most extensive, up-to-the-minute and easy-to-use crossword puzzle dictionary is bigger and better than ever! Arranged alphabetically from start to finish, THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE A-Z CROSSWORD DICTIONARY is a boon for puzzle fans young and old-with thousands of updated references from the worlds of art, literature, sports, politics, and pop culture; geographical and technical terms; famous and not-so-famous figures from the past and present; biblical references; computer terminology; new and old words; variant spellings; idioms, slogans, slang, abbreviations ... and much more!

Containing nearly twice as much information as competing crossword dictionaries, this handy volume not only provides indispensable help to anyone occasionally stumped by the subtle and sophisticated clues employed by today's master puzzle constructors, it is also a treasure trove of fascinating facts and trivia. And if you're looking for the right word to fill those little white boxes, the solution is here ... at your fingertips.

Impress all your friends at the next pub quiz by perfecting your knowledge of everything from history to sport, science and popular entertainment. This fantastic new collection of puzzles provides the perfect solitary entertainment for every quiet moment while allowing you to build a fantastic range of facts on the tip of your tongue. Covering a wide range of topics, these varied and challenging puzzles from Britain's best-selling quality newspaper will provide hours of amusement for general knowledge and crossword enthusiasts alike.

This bumper collection of puzzles from the pages of The Telegraph will provide hours of entertainment. With plenty of cryptic clues to decode and over 200 puzzles, The Telegraph Big Book of Cryptic Crosswords 4 is the perfect compilation to get your brain into gear. The fourth title in the best-selling Telegraph big cryptic crosswords series, with all new puzzles for 2019. Perfect for long-time puzzle enthusiasts and crossword novices alike.

*** Test your lateral thinking and sharpen your problem-solving faculties with this fresh compilation of cryptic crosswords from the Telegraph. Packed with 100 puzzles, The Telegraph Cryptic Crosswords 9 offers hours of meditative puzzling for beginners and experts alike.

*** Enjoy this fantastic collection of puzzles from the Mail on Sunday. Compiled by Mitchell Symons, these challenging crosswords will test your general knowledge and allow you to build a variety of facts on the tip of your tongue. Perfect for seasoned puzzlers and novices alike, The Mail on Sunday General Knowledge Crosswords 1 are ideal for quiz and crossword lovers.

Sharpen your wits with this latest bumper collection of 300 quick-fire crosswords, ideal for experienced and new puzzlers alike. In its fifth volume, this edition is filled with a range of fun and clever clues, and will stimulate and entertain in equal measure. Perfect for quick crossword enthusiasts.

Lose yourself in these fast and frantic crosswords, perfect for any spare moment in the day. With 150 brand-new puzzles, The Telegraph Quick Crosswords 6 will please novices and lifelong crossword fans alike. The perfect puzzle compilation for quick-fire crossword fans.

Fuel your passion for puzzles with the Daily Mail Big Book of Cryptic Crosswords 2, the second title in the new series of the best-selling bumper cryptic crossword puzzles from the nation's favourite newspaper. Whether you're a beginner or a puzzle expert, this collection of over 200 addictive puzzles will keep you entertained for hours on end.

Yarn lovers - keep your mind sharp and have fun with over 65 word puzzles for knitters and crocheters! With a wide variety of games you'll be entertained for hours.

Lose yourself in this latest bumper collection of quick-fire crosswords. Solve the clues and navigate your way to completing these fast and furious crosswords. With over 300 quick-fire crosswords, The Telegraph Big Book of Quick Crosswords 4 is perfect for every puzzle fan. The fourth title in the best-selling Telegraph big quick crosswords series, with all new puzzles for 2019. Perfect for novices and experienced puzzlers alike!

It's always the best time for puzzles! Show off your skills any time or place! This collection of 100 New York Times Sunday crossword puzzles is convenient and entertaining. Edited by puzzlemaster Will Shortz, these Sunday puzzles are the undisputed star of crosswords. Features: - 100 themed New York Times Sunday crosswords - Portable packaging for solving on-the-go - Smart, fresh vocabulary, fun themes, and pop culture references

The Simplex Crossword formula has been hugely successful and made bestsellers of Books 1 to 6. Appearing daily in the Irish Times for over forty years, the crossword has attracted a devoted following. The Big Book of Simplex Crosswords combines the first two bestselling titles in the Simplex series in a new edition. Great value for crossword-addicts everywhere!

Easy to read and to solve! Tired of straining your eyes trying to solve too-small crossword puzzles? Then The Everything Easy Large-Print Crosswords Book, Volume 7 is for you. Everything is bigger--the clues, the numbers, the grids--even the answers! Each of these brand-new puzzles is in easy-to-read large-print format--and a cinch to solve. Solve puzzles with lightly challenging clues like: Refrain in "Old MacDonald" (EIEIO) Actor Holbrook (HAL) Gomer of TV (PYLE) Break, as a balloon (POP) Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crossword fan, these light and easy puzzles are perfect for taking a break--without having to use a dictionary!

Navigate your way through a mix of wordplay and intricate clues-within-clues to solve these crosswords. Hours of fun, this book is perfect for keen puzzle solvers who enjoy lateral thinking.