Everyman 3527/11 May
Another entertaining and cleverly clued puzzle from Everyman, although there were – unusually – a couple that didn’t really hit the spot for me this morning. You’ll no doubt tell me if I … Read more >>
Pierre
Guardian Quiptic 756/Nutmeg
Nutmeg started setting for the Guardian Cryptic a while ago and her puzzles there have been well-received. But I’m glad she’s still doing the Quiptic, because she generally manages to set an accessible … Read more >>
Independent 8597/Quixote
Perhaps it’s because it’s a bank holiday puzzle, perhaps I’m just being a bit lethargic, but I found this tricky. A couple of less common words (which is normal for Quixote); a good … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1262/Hypnos (27 April)
I thought this was a fine Hypnos puzzle in the expected IoS style – in other words, reasonably tractable. That said, I struggled in the SW corner for a good while, before 12dn … Read more >>
Everyman 3523/13 April
Another lovely Everyman, with plenty of anagrams to get us going, and some delightful but accessible clues all over the grid. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 752/Provis
A quick look at the archive suggests that this is only Provis’s second appearance, and my first chance to blog him or her. I thought this was a fine Quiptic. Nothing to frighten … Read more >>
Independent 8579/Quixote
Another WYSIWYG puzzle from Quixote. Which is why I keep recommending him to those who are just starting to enter the world of cryptic crosswords. Bit of genealogy, bit of religion, bit of … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1258/Alchemi
I enjoyed this Sunday’s offering from Alchemi. Generally a puzzle in the usual accessible IoS style; but that said, there were a number of clues where I had to head-scratch a bit before … Read more >>
Everyman 3519/16 March
Always a pleasure to solve and blog an Everyman. The usual combination of smooth surfaces and accessible clueing. The enumeration for one of the clues struck me as unusual, but perhaps others have … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 748/Pan
This hit the spot for me. You? That said, the grid was a bit odd for a Quiptic, and I think one of the clues is faulty. Abbreviations cd … Read more >>
Independent 8549/Rorschach
Has Rorschach blotted his copybook with this one? In my opinion, not at all. I really liked this one, although those expecting the usual fairly gentle introduction to the Indy week might have … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1254/Hypnos
Not a breeze by any means from Hypnos this morning, but still an accessible puzzle with plenty to enjoy. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = … Read more >>
Independent 8543/Quixote
A typical, and pleasing, Monday puzzle from Quixote. Enough anagrams to get the improving solver going, and then a generous grid which meant that once you’d got going, you’d get finished. Only a … Read more >>
Everyman 3515/16 February
As usual, a pleasing and solver-friendly puzzle from Everyman. One or two tricky ones thrown in this morning, I thought, but a bit of head-scratching and some crossing letters saved the day. … Read more >>
Quiptic 744/Hectence
I thought this hit the spot for a Quiptic. Good variety in the cluing; nothing too obscure; and where the wordplay was a little complicated, clear definitions. Abbreviations cd cryptic … Read more >>