Andrew

A very straightforward puzzle that wouldn’t have been out of place in the Quiptic spot, with elegant and soundly-constructed clues throughout. Thanks to Carpathian.   Across 1 GLASSES Girls with good spectacles (7)G … Read more >>

A fairly easy run today, though I was held up a little at the end in the SW corner. I was nearly stumped by the tricky parsing of 18a, but it hit me … Read more >>

Quite a quick solve for me on this one, though I was held up a little at the end in the SW corner (for no obvious reason). Thanks to Philistine for an enjoyable … Read more >>

We usually tend to see Picaroon later in the week, but he’s welcome any time as far as I’m concerned. Thanks to Picaroon for another great puzzle.   Across 1 CALVE Shortening parts … Read more >>

This was rather harder than usual for Vulcan, I thought, and I can’t fully parse 6d. No doubt help soon will be at hand. Thanks to Vulcan.   Across 1 THAMES One can … Read more >>

As is ever the case with Vlad, a tricky one today, not helped by the unfriendly grid, and more so by my initially entering two plausible but incorrect answers. Slightly bruised thanks to … Read more >>

A relatively straightforward and (I think) themeless puzzle from Picaroon today. A certain amount of repetition of a couple of devices, but very enjoyable as ever. Thanks to Picaroon. Across 1 CRIMINALISATION Rule … Read more >>

A fairly straightforward one today, with one obscure (to me) name helpfully clued. Thanks to Qaos. … and of course we have a theme, in this case words that go with GLASS: I … Read more >>

Anto is never going to be my favourite setter, but this was competently done, though with a few niggles, as noted below. Thanks to Anto. Across 1 FRISSON Father is with child? It’s … Read more >>

Jack, aka Serpent of the Independent and Basilisk of the FT, has set a few Genius puzzles, but I think this is his first appearance in the Cryptic slot. Very welcome too, as … Read more >>

I found this very hard, and was looking at an almost blank grid for what felt like ages. As often happens in such cases, almost everything seems reasonably straightforward in retrospect. Thanks to … Read more >>

I made a very slow start on this, and it was tough going all the way, with some chewy parsings that took some working out. Happy to have avoided a total impalement – … Read more >>