Independent 11,709 by Methuselah
This was one of the hardest puzzles I’ve been scheduled to blog for a long time. Some of it was self-inflicted. Solving started well. Thank goodness there was an easy one to get … Read more >>
beermagnet
Independent 11,679 by Monk
A varied mixture of clue difficulties in this offerring from Monk A simple clue at 1 across to get us going. Not that it helped me properly get 2d where I thought the … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 773) Eager Charlatan
You don’t have to leap on the mag and do the puzzle as soon as it pops through the letterbox. You have about a week to solve the puzzle so you can wait … Read more >>
Independent 11,649 by Quince
Some interesting wordplay in this puzzle. I particularly appreciated use of the ellipsis as a part of a cryptic definition itself in 9A, and the “undressing” of AGENT twice in 18D which had … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 771) Poor Taste Alert
Not any more poor taste than usual, an Eye puzzle always deserves a trigger warning, but as that phrase appears in an answer column using it as the blog title was irresistible. And … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 769) Unnatural Euphoria
An enjoyable one from the Eye this issue. A big relief from the Xmas monster Quite a few anagrams in this puzzle but my word, there are a few absolute gems among them: … Read more >>
Independent 11,619 by Skinny
I’m thinking this is the first time a Skinny puzzle has appeared on a Saturday. Their puzzles are more frequently seen on a Sunday, so we must say welcome to the “ex-Prize” slot. … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 767) Overhasty Egomaniac
The overhasty egomaniac has been giving evidence at the Covid Inquiry this week. Amazing how he had a phone it was impossible to retrieve old messages from. But I’ll say not more about … Read more >>
Independent 11,589 by Serpent
Serpent making his regular ~6 weekly appearance in the Saturday slot. And that’s all right by me. A crossword up to the usual excellent standard and tricky while not being excessively difficult. I … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 765) Legal disgrace
A crossword built around the grotty state of the current political establishment, including a number of Tory names. There may be enough politics – for titillation there are just a few salacious points … Read more >>
Independent 11,559 by Serpent
Don’t forget to put your clocks back tonight! You’ll have more time to do puzzles that way. Unless you’re like a friend of mine who saves time by not changing his clocks twice … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 763) Urgent Slugfest
Nothing to do with shell-less molluscs’ equivalent of Glasto – … the political fight it seems Cyclops is looking forward to at 5d is unlikely to involve many bare knuckles. Maybe a few … Read more >>
Independent 11,529 by Phi
Q. What happens when a Phi crossword doesn’t appear on a Friday? A. You get a Phi crossword the next day instead. Also, the fact the yesterday’s Coot puzzle was so heavily themed … Read more >>
Private Eye ( Cyclops / 761) Optimal Disinformation
I thought I would be tackling this puzzle while resting up after getting a new hip. But it didn’t happen, again. The last time it didn’t happen in July was down to hospital … Read more >>