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Guardian Cryptic 25865 Orlando

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An enjoyable offering from Orlando.  Not difficult, with 25across my last one in.  Thanks to Orlando.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzzle.  … Read more >>

Financial Times 14229 Neo

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  I thought this was going to be Neo shaking us out of our Tuesday complacency, on first pass.  However it turned out to be quite benign, helped in my case, by the … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1197 Hypnos

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An enjoyable puzzle from Hypnos, just nice for a relaxing Sunday.  Thank you to Hypnos.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links with the puzzzle.]] Across 1 … Read more >>

Financial Times 14223 Jason

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Another enjoyable offering from Tuesday regular, Jason.  All straightforward, except perhaps 20, my last one in, and of which I’m not totally certain.  Thanks to Jason.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The … Read more >>

Financial Times 14217 Crux

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Though quick, solving this was quite enjoyable with some clever surfaces and devices.  Thank you to Crux.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25850 Rufus

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The usual Monday fare from Rufus.  Not everyone’s cup of tea, as the many cds do not allow the solver to synthesise the answer from scratch, but require one to take a macro view.  Thanks … Read more >>

Financial Times 14211 Armonie

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A very slightly harder Armonie today, but good.  Thanks Armonie.  I noted the number of repeated words in the clues: “beer”(1a/12a), “girl”(14a/21a), “speed”(11a/22a), “knight”(2d/4d), “number”(7d/8d), “nothing”(11a/28a), and wondered if it was deliberate?  If … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 687 Hectence

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A typical Quiptic puzzle by Hectence, none too taxing.  Thank you Hectence.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The 4 pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzzle.]] Across 1 Messed up … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25841 Shed

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After being stretched a bit by the setter’s setter-mum yesterday, I was expecting the worst.  And, on the first pass, I could not, if at all, connect more than 2 answers together.  But, after … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1193 Hypnos

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Quite a straightforward and enjoyable puzzle, with a touch of the Season included. Thanks to Hypnos. And a Happy New Year (not too late, I think) to all readers, bloggers and setters here. Definitions … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25827 Rufus

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Firstly, thank you to PeeDee, Andrew and BertandJoyce for filling in for me while I was away.  Also, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all at Fifteensquared.  In … Read more >>

Financial Times 14184 Jason

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Another straightforward puzzle from Jason, but enjoyable nevertheless.  Thanks to Jason.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzzle.]] Across 1 One in pokey … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1189 Alchemi

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A comparatively new setter in Fifteensquared’s coverage, and, as far as I can tell, his/her first in the IoS.  Straightforward solve.  Thanks to Alchemi.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links with the puzzle.]]

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Financial Times 14166 Phssthpok

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A tricky puzzle, with clues requiring the solver to break them in the appropriate places, eg. 17a, 19a, 24a, and 5d.  But all fair and enjoyable.  Thanks to Phssthpok.  Definitions are underlined in … Read more >>