The Grids

[astree]

Three grids are in the book, on pages 11, 17, and 40.  The MASQUERADE interpretation is known, where one grid decryption is read backwards, and the grid on p. 17 is sort of upside down, and p. 17 blue letters give ECHO.

But this is to focus on other uses of the grids.  Use of letter color, background color, etc have been mentioned by Jenny and others.  So i will mention a few other uses.

p. 11 grid contains anagrams  row 3, for example, is MAINE.  Column 4 is ISLAND, when including the L that is tapped by the interruptinf fishes nose.

the 11th space (and 1st space) on p. 11 grid is “E”, which is a recurring theme.

the alphanumeric sum of the single letter exposed diagonals, give 17 each. ECED , PA.  PACED E

using this as a seque to p. 40

it is known that corresponding squares of the number grids add to 19.  On p. 40,  the full diagonal 8 (letter O, but zero gives same effect) 4 7 sum 19.  the missing number from the other diagonal 11 bounces back to the p. 11 grid. (noting also that the 4 7 of the other diagonal subtotal the 11).

The last column contains the 19, and its other digits sum to 19.

the p. 40 grid consecutive 2 3 ( O + ) 19 looks to correspond to the p. 19 “count 2 3”

p. 40 “tea for two” (where the white letters anagram to “after two”, and the red 33 are shown)

T 4 2

The digits in the grid that contain the 4 and 2 comprise a T, where the sum of the digits is 42. (and p. 42 says “sum mit).  24 lines after the title, on p. 42.

it is believed by some (myself included) that alpha numeric substitution is used in places in the puzzle.  Grouping in grid

—O
1  6. 4

–O
1 F 4

one of four

1927614 (p. 19) is found to intersect at 10 in the grid ( by the way, another semi-lean-toward that this is a coord. jumble).

Looks to me, like a lot of thought was put into the grids.  Ive given several examples, and if you explore the grids further, you may find information that is more directly helpful.