Answers for Daily #5

The starting word was

First moves

13 words are one letter away from COOK.

BOOK: noun A collection of sheets of paper bound together to hinge at one edge, containing printed or written material, pictures, etc.
HOOK: noun A rod bent into a curved shape, typically with one end free and the other end secured to a rope or other attachment.
KOOK: noun An eccentric, strange or crazy person.
LOOK: verb To try to see, to pay attention to with one’s eyes.
NOOK: noun A small corner formed by two walls; an alcove.
ROOK: noun A European bird, Corvus frugilegus, of the crow family.

Also: TOOK, CONK, CORK, COOL, COOP, COOS, COOT

COOK → CONK → MONK → MONO

Once the words before it are used, nobody can change MONO: a dead end, worth 3 extra points.

Every Daily hides one golden word a few moves from the start. This one was HOLD.

From COOK, 2,140 words can be reached one letter at a time.

Definitions from Wiktionary