"I told myself one clue. Four hours later I was still going. Nothing this addictive has ever made me feel this smart."
Minute Cryptic | 160+ Wordplay Puzzles to Crack and Solve
Minute Cryptic | 160+ Wordplay Puzzles to Crack and Solve
Train your brain a few minutes at a time
Learn cryptic clues from scratch
Crack clues most people give up on
One clue, one answer, one small win
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Minute Cryptic | 160+ Wordplay Puzzles to Crack and Solve
What you actually get
What you actually get
A 352-page paperback with over 160 cryptic clues inside. Each chapter takes one type of wordplay and teaches it on its own, with worked examples first, then clues for you to try. Six mini crosswords along the way and one full-size crossword at the end.
Every clue gives you the answer twice. Once as a plain definition, once as a hidden instruction dressed up to look like a normal sentence. Your job is to spot which part is which. There's a hint on the back of every page if you want one, and full solutions at the back. You still do the solving yourself.
Shipping & 30 day guarantee
Shipping & 30 day guarantee
We pack and send your book within 1 to 2 business days. Delivery takes 5 to 11 business days after that. Every copy goes out wrapped and boxed, so it arrives flat and undamaged.
If it is not for you, tell us within 30 days and we will make it right. No arguing, no forms to fill in.
Train your brain to see through anything
Minute Cryptic is the international bestseller that trains one skill almost nobody is taught: seeing what words are really doing.
Every clue is built to send you the wrong way on purpose. Crack enough of them and the habit sticks. You stop taking things at face value: a headline, a price, a promise, the sentence someone just said to you.
the new worldwide hit in wordplay
The most fun your brain has had in years
This is the puzzle people describe as an obsession, and they mean it kindly. One clue turns into three. Three turns into an evening gone.
It never feels like work, and your brain never gets to coast. Every clue is a fresh trap with a fair way out, so you finish sharper than you started instead of emptier.
one clue or ten, stop whenever you like
no puzzle experience needed
Everything waiting inside...
160+ cryptic clues
A chapter for every type of wordplay
Worked examples showing how each clue is built
A hint on the back of every page
Full solutions, step by step
Practice clues after every chapter
Space to shuffle letters by hand
6 mini crosswords
1 mega crossword to finish in the end
352 pages, no app, no screen
What changed once the case was closed
91%
said they think more clearly since starting the book
89%
noticed it getting easier the further in they got
93%
said they look forward to it every day
*based on a survey of 1,840 solvers
What 3700+ solvers said after finishing it
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"Now I solve things my partner thinks are impossible"
I used to look at these clues in amazement, wondering how anyone did it. Now I say the answer out loud and get asked how on earth I worked it out.
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"I sat down for one clue and lost two hours"
They only take a minute each, that's the joke. Then you look up and the evening is gone. New addiction unlocked.
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"A year ago these made no sense to me at all"
Cryptic clues were a complete mystery. I worked through the whole book and now I understand how they're built. It taught me a genuinely new skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
I've never solved a cryptic clue in my life. Will I be lost?
I've never solved a cryptic clue in my life. Will I be lost?
No. The book assumes you know nothing and starts there. You learn one type of wordplay at a time, with worked examples showing how the clue is built, then clues to practise on before anything new arrives. Most people solve their first one on the opening pages.
What exactly is a cryptic clue?
What exactly is a cryptic clue?
Every clue gives you the answer twice. Once as a plain definition, and once as a set of hidden instructions dressed up to look like a normal sentence. Once you know what to look for, what seemed like nonsense turns into something you can work out on purpose. The book teaches you what to look for.
What if I get stuck?
What if I get stuck?
There's a hint on the back of every page. It points you in the right direction without giving anything away, so you still get to solve it yourself. Full solutions are included too, laid out step by step, so you can always see where the clue turned.
Is this too easy if I already solve cryptics?
Is this too easy if I already solve cryptics?
It's built for people starting out or still finding their footing. If you already finish a broadsheet cryptic without help, this will feel gentle. If you get halfway and stall, this is the book that closes the gap.
How long does each one take?
How long does each one take?
Anywhere from a minute to considerably longer, depending on the clue and the day. There's no timer and no order you have to follow. Do one on a train or ten on a Sunday.
Is this a book of full crosswords?
Is this a book of full crosswords?
Mostly single clues, which is the point. You don't have to commit to finishing a whole grid to get the satisfaction. There are mini crosswords built in along the way, and a full-size one at the end once you've got everything.
What do I actually receive?
What do I actually receive?
A 352-page paperback. No app, no login, nothing to download. Small enough to live in a bag and sturdy enough to write in.
Will this actually make a difference to how I think?
Will this actually make a difference to how I think?
Most people say yes. You're training your brain to stop at the obvious answer and look for the second one, over and over. Solvers tell us they notice it outside the book, in things they read and conversations they have, long after they've finished.
I've only recently discovered these minute cryptic puzzles, so when I saw this book, I just had to get it, as I'm hooked!I was a complete novice starting out, and there's still a lot to get my head around, but this book really does a great job at breaking everything down, and explaining the hints/tips you need to know, as easily as possible.The solutions are at the back of each section, as well, if you're really struggling and need to check.I really enjoy doing them, and there's a great variety, so you won't be bored...but prepare to get a little bit mind-boggled, and frustrated at times, but in a good way!I think it's a great quality book, and well worth the money, so I'd definitely recommend.
Love it. Such a fun book
This book will definitely help you be more adept in solving the daily minute cryptic clues. The difficulty level as you go on increases but not to a point that it’ll make you feel too stupid.
I love minute cryptic! It’s always so fun to do and Liam and Angas do such a good job making these! The book is easy to follow and has great examples with varying difficulties! Will be recommending to friends!
This is a brilliant book! I’ve been trying to learn to solve cryptic crosswords for a while and have a few books, but have been struggling! I’ve often thought - if only you could just concentrate on solving clues dealing with one strategy at a time - and that’s exactly what this book does! It builds up your confidence of each strategy step by step, and gives hints and tips over the page (in Angas style) to help if you get stuck. I can highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn how to crack cryptic crosswords. I’m a fan of the clear explanations given by Angas on his daily Instagram crossword clues, and this book totally reflects that style. I LOVE IT!!
Great book for beginners.
Felt like I was in a math class. I am sure it’s a great puzzle book, but I did have the patience to learn. I donated it to our local library.
A fun way to get into Cryptic Crosswords. It's a bit easy and won't teach experienced players anything new. Still a good time though
Fun book! Really gets the gears turning.
Great introduction to cryptic clues, very enjoyable.
Really helpful for learning minute cryptic!
My daughter loves a cryptic crossword and couldn’t put this down. Wish there was another in series as would happily buy again.
LOVE LOVE LOVE! This is a great find and it really exercises the brain well. I love the breakdowns and hints but it's also challgening (in the best way). I'm still working my way through it but I can't wait for the next volume. I also love bringing it with me on my travels because it's compact so it helps passing time and prevents me from mindlessly scrolling.
Really good. Informative. I now know what to look for in those cryptic clues.
These are so fun to sit down and do whenever I’m wanting an activity that challenges my brain and lets me take a break from screens. There are a lot of puzzles in this book and it eases into the difficulty, which was nice for someone new to minute cryptics. If you like puzzles, give it a shot!
Plowed thru the book. Had to slow down and not because the puzzles are easy, but because I was enjoying it.
This book kept coming up on my feed and I finally caved. I love it. I never tried cryptic puzzles before, but do love a crossword puzzle. (They are cousins but nothing alike)Now that I know how to do it, I have become a cryptic puzzle junkie and can’t wait for the next book to come out! The website is a great resource for learning how to do these puzzles.
Such a fun book! If you love the app you will love the book. My husband and I do the puzzles together! It’s super fun!
LOVE! The cryptics are so fun and I really enjoy the hints on the back of the pages for when you get stuck! I just wish it was maybe in a spiral bound notebook as it is hard to keep the pages open when writing
Just a magical piece of excellence.If you fancy getting into the world of cryptics, this is the book!Also, use their website:It’s fantastic for opening your creative thinking.
Saw someone playing online and bought it as I am a lover of word puzzles. Fun, quirky, challenging, thought provoking. Really have been enjoying it!
Great book
Good for learning how to do cryptic crosswords - could do with more content but perfect for beginners
This book has been revolutionary for me! I now finally understand how to do cryptic crosswords!
I honestly never thought I could master Cryptic crosswords but thanks to this brilliantly organised book for beginners, here I am, smashing it-sometimes!😉
Brilliant book, it's a guide to cryptic crosswords working through different types of questions. Can't wait for the next one.
Loved this. Engaging and enjoyable. Even if you think you have learnt everything from the web, there is so much more! My confidence to tackle cryptics has grown!!
Obsessed!!! My mind was craving learning and this hit the spot.
Great item
A good quality teaching guide to solving cryptic crosswords.
Love this book!! It’s tricky but great guidance and hints throughout. Loving it!