Times Codeword 4: 150 Cracking Logic Puzzles

Why does no-one produce a codeword book that's even slightly difficult. The Times books are divided into easy, moderate, difficult. The easy & moderate could easily be completed by a bright child, even the difficult ones are patronisingly easy. I'm no brainbox but I don't even bother with the easy and moderate because they aren't worth bothering with and the difficult ones take no time at all; my longest time was 16 minutes. The most problematic codeword that I know of is in the Radio Times and even that never beats me for long. There are fiendishly difficult Sudoku books available - please somebody do something similar with words! How about codewords with NO clue letters given? At least that would give a modicum of difficulty to make it worth the effort. As far as it goes this book is no worse than many others on the market and slightly better than most, but if you really like word problems the only problem you'll have with this collection is that it's over too quickly.

I know that these can be quite easy, including the “hard” section, but I don’t care. I love just doing these and completing them. Absolutely hooked and have to discipline myself otherwise I find over and hour + has gone.

One might imagine that Codeword puzzles ought to become more difficult, as the solver acquires experience.The Times Codeword 1 (or original) was faithful in standard to the original Codewords published in the Times newspapers and provided quite hard codewords. Volumes 2 and 3 were of much the same standard. All are divided into sections of 'Easy', 'Moderate' and 'Hard'.However, volume 4, while retaining the same three divisions of Easy, Moderate and Hard, seems to me to be far too easy. To take a concrete example, the Easy codewords provide FOUR starting letters, instead of the customary three or fewer.So we have the bizarre situation where newcomers to Codewords should start at Volume 4, then work backwards to Volume 1 as they acquire superior solving skills.

Disappointing as there was no indication that there were so many easy and medium codeword puzzles. For anyone familiar with these, two letters are the maximum required. Any more and unless you are a complete beginner, they are no real challenge. Some solvers even manage them without any given letters at all.

Arrived on the 1st april, earlier than estimated, well packaged, book in excellent condition, looking forward starting it this weekend, all puzzle books are a good way of getting through this time we're at home, so I'm grateful the book are available, and would recommend them to anyone,