Messages to a secret agent?

A manualon how to build an alien spacecraft?

The ramblings of a lunatic?

Cryptic clues do mean something, they're just not what they seem.

There's always one way to read a clue that will tell you what to do.

Most cryptic clues have two parts -

one part teasingly defines the solution.

The other part is a playful way to get to the same thing.

But which is which?

Is this about finding transport or boats?

Let's guess it's about transport

and see what the rest of the clue could mean.

What fish do we know?

And boats?

Hang on.

We know what a carp-ark is.

Sometimes key words will tell you what to do.

Look out for anagram indicators...

soundalike indicators,

which are often phrases you just need to learn to recognise...

or reversal indicators...

And don't give up.

Remember, the person who set the crossword wants you to solve it.

He or she may play the part of an evil genius

torturing the hero who enters their lair.

But you are Bond

and Bond always wins.

And you may even learn some new words along the way.

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