Crosswords are a unique obsession. This deliciously quirky and deeply personal book does for London and crosswords what The Piano Shop on the Left Bank did for Paris and music. Born and raised in South Africa, at age 21 journalist Sandy Balfour hitchhiked through Nairobi, Cairo, and Moscow before settling in England. He was introduced to a hobby that has ensnared millions: the cryptic crossword. Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose (8) weaves the story of Balfour’s travels with an insiders account of the pastime called the world’s most remarkable crossword. We meet legendary setters like Araucaria and Bunthorne, learn of great clues such as Amundsen’s forwarding address (4), and travel the course of Balfour’s life. Peppered with anecdotes that explain the workings of cryptic puzzles while also offering a devilish hidden riddle, this book is a crossword lover’s must have.
