In the mid-1970s, when The Atlantic Monthly"s editors decided to feature a puzzle in each issue, they needed something unique that would appeal to their readership. Fortunately, they found Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, whose variety cryptics have now been appearing in the magazine for 25 years. Cryptic crosswords are a specialized type of puzzle, particularly popular among lovers of books, language and wordplay; variety cryptics go one step further. Cox & Rathvon, arguably North America"s pre-eminent cryptic authors, literally "wrote the book". The 45 puzzles in this collection, not previously available in book form, are among their best.