Games World of Puzzles June 2021

Here at GAMES WORLD OF PUZZLES, we eagerly anticipate the month of June and the extra hours of daylight that it brings. In fact, the longest day of the year—the summer solstice—occurs on June 20. And what better way to while away some of those hours than relaxing outdoors with the June issue? To that end, we’ve packed this issue with engaging articles and creative puzzles.
We suggest beginning on a light note with Erich Friedman’s “Emoji Musical Groups” (page 33). This colorful visual puzzle won’t tax your brain too much; it’s perfect to play with friends or family. Give it a try!
Next, move on to Andrew Parr’s “The Puzzlemaster Revisited” (page 34). As part of his “Flashback 40” series, Parr spoke to current New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz, who is quite a celebrity in the world of puzzles. In the interview, Shortz discusses his time at GAMES in the 1980s and ’90s, along with other fun topics, such appearing on The Simpsons. Check it out—we guarantee you’ll learn something new!
If hard-core puzzling is your thing, be sure to read “Between the Lines: A Look into the World’s Most Difficult Literary Puzzle,” by Campbell Rodriguez (page 38). In this piece, Rodriguez tells the story of Cain’s Jawbone, a 100-page murder mystery by Edward Powys Mathers that was first published in 1934. To solve the mystery, the reader must put the pages in the correct order—quite a stiff challenge, since only a few people have succeeded in solving it. Recently, Cain’s Jawbone was reissued and a new generation of solvers has taken up the task of solving the murders. Might you care to join them?
On a more somber note, we mark the passing of two members of the puzzle world, Frank Carchia and Parnell Hall. Carchia was a dedicated teacher and a contributor to GAMES WORLD OF PUZZLES as recently as this past February. Hall was an accomplished author who wrote the Puzzle Lady mysteries, several of which have been reviewed in these pages. We pay tribute to these two men in Raymond Simon’s “In Memoriam” (page 48).
For puzzlers, a highlight will no doubt be “Senior Year,” Andrew Parr’s mini puzzle series, which starts on page 28. It’s the long-awaited conclusion to the high school career of puzzle-loving student Evan, first introduced as a freshman way back in the Winter 2013 issue of WORLD OF PUZZLES. Evan and his girlfriend Julia are at it again, challenging the new principal to a match of wits. This section offers a mix of accessible, engaging puzzles. See if you can solve them all and come up with the final answer!
All of this and much more awaits you, so sharpen your pencil and start solving!