Back in Black
Black Book
Black Book by Tyler Williams
Book themed puzzle boxes are always intriguing to me. I suppose they embody the ultimate symbolism of how a good puzzle box tells a story, of adventure, secrets and reward. It’s a pleasure to get lost in a good book, and a book puzzle box offers that sentiment as a tangible experience. Tyler Williams, whose Beard’s Woodshop has taken us on puzzling adventures about superheroes, pirates, television and film, has now written a book as well. I like to write about new book puzzles to coincide book holidays, and thankfully, there are many, many book holidays! I’m using the questionable holiday of Harry Potter’s birthday (July 31) this time, something I’ve done before, too!
Fade to black
Tyler’s new puzzle box is a little reminiscent of one of Jesse Born’s early puzzles, the Victorian Book, which was an early indication of how creative Jesse would go on to become. Like the Victorian Book, Tyler’s “Black Book” has an antique look and feel to it, dark and foreboding as though it had been discovered on a back shelf in an ancient bookshop, or perhaps the restricted section in the library of a school for witches and wizards. It has an eye catching figurative spine, what appears to be a keyhole, and, once you begin to read it, much more in store within the pages.
black hole
From Tyler: “When I come up with a new design, I tend to start making the different mechanisms first. After I’m happy with the mechanisms I will try to make the box look like something. This one just ended up looking like a book because it fit perfectly having the layers look like the pages. After designing puzzles for many years, it’s fairly easy for me to make the different parts interact with each other. I usually have one initial prototype, change one or two things and start the production.
this black book is a black box
The front cover, back cover, and spine are stained black (black book). The pages are either oak or poplar (depending on which version you received). The puzzle is mostly lasered with a few parts cut by hand. One thing I learned is how to make keys and key holes. I did have a keyhole in some of my previous designs but never two that interact. You may see new puzzles with keyholes and different mechanisms in the future. What’s next? I never have a particular design in mind when making something. While creating something new I will start with a few mechanisms in mind and the puzzle comes to life a few days later.”
find it on the black market?
You might think there are only so many mechanisms and secrets to be hidden in a book puzzle box, but Tyler does something unexpected which opens all sorts of possibilities. Just look to Bill Sheckels if you don’t think you can write a whole series of new stories. The Black Book is a clever take on the theme as well, and packed with ideas that take well over thirty “chapters” as you collect tools on your way to the prize, a hidden coin. It’s a gripping tale with a satisfying conclusion, and I can’t wait for the sequel.
Siriusly Black Manhattan
For Harry Potter’s birthday, I thought we should celebrate this year with a nod to his godfather, the much maligned but truly good hearted magician Sirius Black. It’s true I’ve toasted the day with a Butterbeer and some Fire Whiskey in the past, but I’m a bit older, if none the wiser now, and wanted something a bit more, shall we say, grown up. Which is a euphemistic way to say, more bitter. Now don’t read too much into that, because I just like bitter drinks, that’s all!
a Manhattan that is Siriusly Black
I found information about this drink in a Black Book on the shelf of 12 Grimmauld Place. I’m told it’s a family recipe. It reminds me of the Black Manhattan, a darker and more brooding variation on the classic Manhattan that was created in 2005 by bartender Todd Smith at San Francisco’s Bourbon and Branch. Smith’s version substitutes Averna amaro for the original sweet vermouth found in a Manhattan, which alters the flavor profile in a deliciously bittersweet way. For the Siriusly Black version, I added a touch of the ultra dark and bitter amaro Fernet Branca, which can be a bit of a bully but works its magic well in small doses. To your good health!
fall under the spell of this pair
Siriusly Black Manhattan (adapted from Todd Smith)
2 oz rye
¾ oz Averna amaro
¼ oz Fernet Branca
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Maraschino cherry garnish and a lemon rind wand.
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