Independent on Sunday 1,557/Kairos
The last IoS offering of 2019 brings us a themed crossword – unusual for this slot, but an entertaining puzzle from Kairos, which required a bit of headscratching in a couple of places. … Read more >>
Pierre
Independent 10,357/Poins
Indy aficionados will be more used to seeing Poins producing the Independent on Sunday puzzle, but he’s brought us the Monday one this week. It took a bit of teasing out, I can … Read more >>
Everyman 3,818/15 December
Everyman continues to produce generally pleasing puzzles within the remit of being accessible and without obscurities. In my opinion, his/her crosswords are let down sometimes by looseness of cluing and clunkiness of surface. … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,048/Pan
Another delightful Quiptic from Pan, doing just what it says on the tin. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,046/Matilda
A fine Quiptic from Matilda this morning. One or two clues to stretch the target audience of ‘beginners’, but all fair. I have tried to explain in detail how all the clues work, … Read more >>
Independent 10,339/Vigo
We are meeting up suspiciously often on Monday mornings, me and this setter. I can assure readers that our relationship is entirely 11ac, but I do love her in a special way this … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,553/Peter
As always, a tractable and entertaining puzzle from Peter for the Independent on Sunday slot. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>
Everyman 3,814/17 November
My blogging colleague Quirister described last week’s puzzle as ‘occasionally a bit untidy but generally fun’. I can’t find a better description of this week’s Everyman, so it’s déjà vu all over again. … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,044/Hectence
Always a spring in my step on Monday blogging mornings when I see that it’s Hectence bringing us the Quiptic. Another tractable and enjoyable puzzle with a good range of devices that I’ll … Read more >>
Independent 10,321/Tees
It’s the Tees and Pierre Monday matinee again, which is never a burden for me, since I always learn something from this setter’s puzzles. And close but no cigar for a bird link. … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,042/Pan
A pitch-perfect puzzle from Pan this morning, with shedloads of stunning surfaces. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,549/Skinny
I blogged Skinny’s debut puzzle in the Indy in July and commented there that I hoped we’d bump into each other again. My wish has been granted, and I enjoyed solving and blogging … Read more >>
Everyman 3,810/20 October
A decent enough puzzle from Everyman for this week, but I do have a couple of niggles. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,040/Carpathian
Carpathian has a tersely clued Quiptic for us, so the blog is similarly terse. Good puzzle. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram … Read more >>
Independent 10,303/Vigo
Vigo can always be relied upon to give us a well-constructed and enjoyable puzzle in the Monday slot, and this was exactly that. My only comment is that it … Read more >>