Can-Am Cryptic Crosswords

Happy I bought this because it is thoroughly enjoyable. I paid full price for it. It is challenging, but not impossible, like some other cryptic crosswords. I especially like that is was written for North Americans. The Keyed-Answer Look up is great content and helps a lot. Now, if I get stuck on a puzzle, I can look it up and be able to see just one answer, and not the whole puzzle. I wish other cryptic books had this feature because I don't want to see the whole puzzle if I am stuck on one answer.Each puzzle used most, if not all of the types of cryptic clues. Also, the "how to" part of solving cryptic crosswords was explained in the beginning of the book. This gave clear standards and guidelines, which I appreciated. The "how to" portion would also be good for people starting out with cryptics. This makes this book great for experienced solvers or neophytes.Another thing I like about these puzzles is the format - square. They are blocks, so there are no convoluted and otherwise impossible to solve dangling answers.Last, these puzzles are challenging, but the answers make sense. They are not easy.North Americans will certainly appreciate this book.I am so happy I bought this book. Without previous reviews, I wasn't sure what I would be getting.Delighted I ordered it. Great Fun !UPDATE: 27 June 2018 - Happy to say that after a year and a half, there is finally a Volume 2 of these great cryptic crossword puzzles available now. I already bought it and am enjoying it. Thanks!WOO HOO !

Finally!! Cryptics geared toward Americans!! Gave up looking for anything like this until I came across these...so simple and fun without the frustration of having to look at practically all the answers like I did with the British puzzles since these use the terms we're familiar with...the keyed answer lookup is an awesome plus that let's you see only the answer you're stuck on without accidentally seeing the other ones...definitely ordering the other volumes in the series, I love these!!!

How pleasant to have a cryptic volume free of unintelligible British catchphrases!

Great for beginners - it’s not easy, but the explanations are very good. I was lost with other cryptic crosswords, but this is interesting and fun.

A welcome addition to the thin supply of cryptic crosswords for Canadians and Americans. The 40 puzzles are challenging and fun. Hopefully more volumes of cryptics by Aldridge will follow.

A rather bland collection, not much imagination or wit in the clues, and almost formulaic. It has been a long time since I have seen an excellent cryptic crossword for people in the USA. This does not begin to reach the level of Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, for instance, but it is fair and it is intended for a North American solver, so one can be appreciative of that. Beginners should know that cryptics can be a lot more engaging than this and experienced solvers old enough to remember what cryptics in the USA were like thirty years ago should not expect the same experience from this.

These Cryptics are quite difficult, even for a semi-veteran cryptologist like me, but they are fun. Just don't plan on zipping through them quickly. Two excellent parts of this collection are (1) the ability, via coded entries, to get the answer to one troublesome word without seeing all the other answers and spoiling the puzzle; and (2) the fact that not only are the correct answers given in the back of the book, but the reasoning behind each one is made clear.

Thoroughly enjoyable. Plenty of challenge and fun but not ridiculously hard. It's a Goldilocks: "....Just right."