Hazel MaplePUZZLES FOR A QUIET MOMENT

FROM LEARN CODEWORDS BY HAZEL MAPLE

How to solve
codeword puzzles

One number stands for one letter throughout a puzzle, and different numbers stand for different letters. Follow the first three discoveries in this real book lesson, and watch each new match spread through the grid.

Before you begin

Four letters to start

The starter key gives you 3 = T, 13 = A, 21 = E and 23 = L. Each match is already carried into every square with that number. Look for a word whose remaining gaps suggest something familiar.

The first word in this route starts at row 8, column 9 and runs down. Think of a six-letter number that fits T_EL_E.

Lesson one grid, starter lettersA 15 by 15 numbered grid from Learn Codewords. 3 is T, 13 is A, 21 is E, 23 is L. Gold squares with a thick outline have letters added in this discovery. The underlined word is the entry just considered. The complete written explanation and letter key are also available on this page.112233445566778899101011111212131314141515251712201621E5201813A122221E816213A23L23L268221E23L81221E3T1013A1113A21723L116101416147163T14171921E481725921E2023L144813A143T25123L21E6262013A1813A1919121E823L823L1023L13A121521E3T1921E12201723L2417261987621E13A3T1821E141121E13A3T1821E148201413A161521E3T2018
Lesson 1 from the paperback. On a small screen, swipe the grid sideways. Gold + thick border: new letters. Underline: the current word.
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Read all three discoveries together

Start with 3 = T, 13 = A, 21 = E and 23 = L. The coordinates below count rows from the top and columns from the left, including black squares.

  1. A number gives you two letters

    Row 8, column 9, down: T_EL_E becomes TWELVE.

    Think of a six-letter number. TWELVE fits T_EL_E: the two Es stay in place, and the L stays in the fourth square. This suggests 6 = W and 24 = V. Carry both letters into every square with those numbers.

    A word that fits is a candidate. Check its new letters against the crossing words as you continue.

  2. Carry the letters to a crossing

    Row 13, column 8, across: WEAT_E_ becomes WEATHER.

    At row 13, column 8, the W you just added helps make WEAT_E_. WEATHER fits this pattern, suggesting 18 = H and 14 = R. The same H and R now appear elsewhere in the grid.

    The benefit of one discovery spreads beyond the word you were looking at.

  3. Reject a word that breaks the code

    Row 9, column 4, down: WAL__T becomes WALNUT.

    The entry at row 9, column 4 now reads WAL__T. WALLET looks tempting, but its fourth square is numbered 12. L already belongs to 23, so that extra L would break the one-number, one-letter rule. WALNUT fits the pattern, suggesting 12 = N and 8 = U.

    Keep testing the new N and U in the words they cross. A familiar-looking word still has to obey the code.

What to do in your next grid

  1. Carry each match everywhere. A new letter can make a distant word easier to recognise. Keep your letter key up to date.
  2. Match the pattern before committing. Repeated numbers need repeated letters; a letter already assigned elsewhere cannot belong to another number.
  3. Use crossings to test vocabulary. A possible word is a starting point, not proof by itself. If a later crossing fails, revisit the candidate that introduced the uncertain letters.

These are guided vocabulary discoveries, not three deductions that require no word knowledge. The full lesson continues beyond this partly filled grid; your own route may differ.

CONTINUE WITH A PENCIL

Try the rest of the lesson.

The free 20-page sample contains the rules, this complete worked route, four practice puzzles, optional hints and full-size answers.

Download the free sample Explore Learn Codewords

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