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Cryptic crosswords: A puzzling British obsession (Image credit: Getty Images) Are these the ultimate brain teasers? Norman Miller explores the appeal of cryptic crosswords – containing mind-bending clues that offer unique Eureka moments. L Lets begin a playful language journey with a dip into the mind of John Halpern, whose brain-teasing puzzles grace the UKs top newspapers under various pseudonyms. Halpern tells me about the day he met his wife. "When she told me her name, the first thing I ...

Last modified on Tue 23 Feb 2021 05.34 EST In the sample clues below, the links take you to explainers from our beginners’ series. The setter’s name often links to an interview with him or her, in case you feel like getting to know these people better. The news in clues Picaroon has given us a puzzle that’s topical in the sense of “cheeringly topical”, rather than “I come to the crossword to avoid this kind of thing”. If fresh starts are your thing, so is the theme. And even if �...