Strands that led to SomeThink’s Clueless Word Search Puzzles

It all started with the irresistible pull of the New York Times Strands puzzle. You know the one: no word list, no hand-holding, just a cryptic theme hiding in a grid that cheerfully refuses to behave. The words can wrap, twist, slither, and zigzag in any continuous direction, and the final spanagram is the cherry on top. It’s the kind of puzzle that rewards cleverness, patience, and the occasional raised eyebrow.

Meanwhile, classic, themed word search books were taking shape at SomeThink Publications. They were fun—comfortingly familiar, neatly structured—but a thought kept tapping on the mental shoulder:

“What if the Word Search didn’t give you clues?”

• What if, like Strands, the only clue you had was the theme? Your brain had to do the detective work?

• What if you had to think of the words before you could find them?

And because grown-ups deserve good puzzles too—puzzles that stretch the mind, tickle the curiosity, and deliver that sweet “aha!” dopamine hit—the idea felt deliciously right.

Unlike Strands, the words don’t twist around corners like over caffeinated snakes, they stay in straight lines—across, down, backward, diagonal—just as nature intended. But to keep solvers on their toes, not every letter in the grid is used.

Suddenly, the difficulty and delight balance themselves perfectly.

• Easier than Strands, because the words don’t wander.

• Harder than a traditional word search, because you can’t rely on a full grid or a helpful list.

A puzzle for curious adults who like a bit of mystery with their morning coffee.

A puzzle that asks you to think before you search.

A puzzle that rewards hunches, connections, and those glorious little brain sparks.

And just like that, SomeThink’s Clueless Word Search series burst into existence—playful, clever, and proudly clue-free. There may be similar concepts out there - but this idea originated spontaneously.

Now it continues to grow—holidays, seasons, events, special themes—each book a new invitation to sharpen your wits and hunt for words you didn’t even know you were looking for. And watch out for some further twists (not literally, but literally) in the future.

And check out our range of Clueless Word Searches on Amazon, because sometimes the most fun comes from being just a little bit clueless.

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Buy Now on Amazon

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