Cracking Codes and Cryptograms For Dummies

Denise Sutherland is a syndicated puzzle author. Her puzzles appear in a range of publications, including the Reader's Digest Mind Stretchers series, and she is the author of Word Searches For Dummies. Mark E. Koltko-Rivera, PhD, is a 32degree Freemason and expert on the major symbols and ceremonies of Freemasonry. Using this expertise, he analyzed prepublication clues to uncover and blog about key elements of The Lost Symbol. He co-hosts the weekly podcast Masonic Central.

• Foreword ixIntroduction 1Part I: Code and Cryptogram Strategies 7Chapter 1: Clueing You In about Codes and Cryptograms 9Chapter 2: Cracking the Codes 21Part II: Secret Stories, Codes, and Cryptogram Puzzles 47Chapter 3: Solving Three Conspiracies 49Chapter 4: Letter Substitution Cryptograms 95Chapter 5: Number Substitution Cryptograms 123Chapter 6: Symbol Substitution Cryptograms 155Chapter 7: Caesar / Shift Ciphers 177Chapter 8: Masonic Ciphers 197Chapter 9: Rail Fence Ciphers 219Chapter 10: Keyboard Codes 235Chapter 11: Assorted Ciphers 251Chapter 12: Anagrams and Cryptic Clues 261Chapter 13: Double Level Puzzles 269Part III: Hints and Answers to the Cryptos and Codes 277Chapter 14: Hints to Help Crack the Cryptograms and Puzzles 279Chapter 15: Answers to All Cryptograms and Puzzles 295Appendix: Historical Background to the Conspiracy Stories 323