Independent 11,902/Bard
I didn’t enjoy this offering from Bard as much as I did the last of his/her cryptics that I blogged. I found it a bit clunky and strained in places. But that’s just … Read more >>
Pierre
Guardian Quiptic 1,305/Hectence
Hectence is our longest-standing Quiptic setter, and has produced a pleasing and well-constructed puzzle for those newer to the dark art of cryptics this morning. Some lovely surface readings to boot. Abbreviations cd … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,813/Kairos
Not blogged a Kairos for ages, so was pleased to see him in my Sunday slot. You always learn stuff from one of his puzzles, and there were a few things new to … Read more >>
Everyman 4,073/10 November
I found this week’s puzzle a bit clunky and niggly, with some fairly unconvincing surface readings. Let’s see what everyone else thought. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition … Read more >>
Independent 11,884/Hoskins
Harry Hoskins has the Monday Indy puzzle for us. Sound and slightly smutty would be my executive summary. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,303/Chandler
Chandler has produced a puzzle for us this week which fits the bill for a Quiptic well, I would aver. But as I keep saying, what the beginners and less experienced solvers thought … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,301/Picaroon
The piratical one is good at this Quiptic stuff, isn’t he? I judged that this was nicely pitched and carefully clued; but as always, what the beginners and improving solvers thought is much … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,809/Stamp
I very much enjoyed solving and blogging this Sunday’s Independent puzzle by Stamp. Lots of great surface readings, all clearly clued and with one or two nice twists. I can get on with … Read more >>
Independent 11,866/Coot
Coot has the puzzle to start off the Independent crosswording week. All pretty tractable, but with some attractively quirky touches in places. Turns out they may be part of a ghost theme: it’s … Read more >>
Everyman 4,069/13 October
Another pleasing puzzle from Everyman this week. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed definitions are underlined Across 1 … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,299/Chandler
A delightful Quiptic from Chandler, with a generous sprinkling of anagrams to get you going and straightforward clueing to help you get near, or over, the finishing line. Bravo to the setter. Abbreviations … Read more >>
Independent 11,848/Twin
I enjoyed solving and blogging this offering from Twin. Easier to solve than parse in a number of places, I would say. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,297/Picaroon
Picaroon on fine form with this week’s Quiptic. A pleasing and tractable puzzle with some delightful surface readings. Bravo. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,805/Filbert
The hard-working Filbert brings us this Sunday’s Independent offering. Filbert is very much the Indy regular these days. I always enjoy his/her puzzles: they can be devious and occasionally left-field, but they are … Read more >>
Everyman 4,065/15 September
Another carefully compiled puzzle from Everyman this week. All the usual elements are there: the primary letters clue, the rhyming couplet, the self-reference. Some original clueing as well in a couple of places, … Read more >>