"Codes, Puzzles, and Conspiracy" gives you the opportunity to participate in the omniheuristic (problem-solving) adventures of its hero, Dr. Ecco. Escapes, battles, and essential clues are built around the solutions to original puzzles, games, and codes, as Ecco outduels his archenemy Baskerhound and unmasks a sinister plot that threatens the world. As in Dennis Shasha's previous voume, "The Puzzling Adventures of Dr. Ecco," no extensive mathematical background is required - only clever thinking and a passion for puzzles.

Dr. Ecco is a mathematical detective and puzzle solver. In this book readers are invited to join him in solving nearly 40 puzzles inspired by methods in computer science and mathematics, including The Tower of Lego, the Odd Doors Problem, Spies and Double Agents, Gossiping Defenders, Code Breaking, and many more.

In the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Ecco is one of the greatest sleuths of our time, a mathematical wizard who uses logic and computer programming to solve crimes, find treasures, and explore space. Join his team, expand the frontiers of your knowledge, and match wits with him on intriguing cases like "The Virus from the Spy" and "The Secrets of Space" and "The Caribou and the Gas." The puzzles collected here require no formal background beyond arithmetic and elementary algebra—just lively curiosity and keen intelligence. With thirty-six illustrated cases organized around eight major mathematical themes (from Combinatorial Geometry and Geography to Ciphers and Secrecy) this book will encourage you to use your mind and your computer in ways you never previously imagined.