masquerade written in 1979 by kit williams

Looking only at the first letters, you’d find another message: “CLOSEBYAMPTHILL”. Having gotten that far, it would be no surprise if puzzlers gave up. This Isaac Newton painting was used as an illustration in Masquerade Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Having solved all the other clues (assuming they could, of course) the reader would have to decipher this little gem: “Catherine’s Long Finger Over Shadows Earth Buried Yellow Amulet Midday Points The Hour In Light Of Equinox Look You.” The clues themselves were real brainteasers, the kind normally enjoyed by people who complete a crossword puzzle in a matter of minutes–using a pen. Related: 7 Fun and Informative History Books for Kids Nothing so unusual about that, you might think, but the clues were a form of treasure hunt and a genuine prize awaited whoever could solve the puzzles and crack the codes. A children’s puzzle book, readers were invited to solve a series of cryptic clues similar to those found in newspaper crossword puzzles. Masquerade set out to be a one-off, something nobody had ever done before. The point was to produce a singular literary creation, something that would engage, confuse, confound and excite a reader far more than the average hardback. Made of 18-carat gold, it certainly had monetary value, but that wasn’t the point. The prize was a handmade golden hare carefully buried at a secret location somewhere in the English countryside. If they were prepared to make that effort, he believed, then they should have something worthwhile to show for it. Williams wanted his readers to make an effort and be thoroughly engaged with his creation.

Masquerade written in 1979 by kit williams