Independent on Sunday 1,753/Tees
I particularly enjoyed this offering from Tees. But then I would, wouldn’t I? I have a namecheck in 3dn, a reference to a French author who I’m moderately familiar with in 22ac, and … Read more >>
Pierre
Everyman 4,013/17 September
Another pleasing and well-constructed crossword from Everyman. Plenty here for the less experienced solver to get their teeth into. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,244/Anto
Anto sets for both the Quiptic and the Guardian Cryptic, and I’m yet to be convinced that he makes an effort to offer the editor clearly defined puzzles for each genre. Abbreviations cd … Read more >>
Independent 11,524/Saladin
This seems to be Saladin’s second Independent puzzle. The first one went down well, and I enjoyed very much solving and blogging this one. The setter seems to set some store by meaningful … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,242/Hectence
This was a write-in for me this morning. But probably not for the reason you think. It appeared on Friday as the online Cryptic puzzle because of a Grauniad balls-up and I solved … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,749/Tees
A tractable puzzle from one of the Indy‘s most prolific setters, with as always a good range of reference material and carefully composed clues throughout. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,241/Bartland
A straightforward enough Quiptic this morning from Bartland for our Bank Holiday entertainment. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed … Read more >>
Independent 11,506/Twin
If I had to categorise this one, I would probably be looking for the tray labelled ‘hard’. Certainly not the usual Monday level of difficulty; but it’s all fair, so just a different … Read more >>
Everyman 4,009/20 August
Another sound and pleasing cryptic from Everyman this week, with all the trademark clues present and correct. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,240/Pasquale
Pasquale has a well-constructed and tractable Quiptic for our entertainment this morning. Nothing to frighten the horses here, I would say, which is how it should be in this slot. An unusually large … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,238/Hectence
A pleasing Quiptic as always from Hectence, with some delightful surface readings. A few straightforward anagrams to start the grid fill, then mainly a diet of cleverly constructed charades for the solver to … Read more >>
Independent 11,488/Hippogryph
Hippogryph is a regular but not particularly frequent setter of Indy puzzles. This is the first time one of his offerings has come up on my watch, and I enjoyed solving and blogging … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,745/Hoskins
Those that like Hoskins’ puzzles to be filled with drink and drug references won’t be disappointed by this one. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>
Everyman 4,005/23 July
All the usual trademarks in this week’s Everyman. As always, a sound and pleasing puzzle. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,236/Bartland
Many delightful surface readings in this morning’s Quiptic from Bartland, with only the slightly solver-unfriendly grid ratcheting up the difficulty level. I enjoyed this one. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad … Read more >>