Independent

A nice themed puzzle from Phi, which provided quite a challenge even though I cracked the key clue fairly early on. I freely admit I needed to have a quick look in my … Read more >>

The other day Eimi gave the impression that there would be something difficult on Thursday. Now we see, and yes, it was difficult. There are one or two clues that don’t seem very … Read more >>

So after a week off for good behaviour DAC returns with a crossword I found a little harder than usual. Probably just me though.   Across 1 LIKE BLAZES Cryptic Double Definition. 6 … Read more >>

I started this puzzle expecting there to be some kind of hidden message around the perimeter that would hold the key to the puzzle’s theme. Instead, there was no Nina to be found … Read more >>

I don’t know, you offer to do a favour for a fellow blogger, and look what happens … I got a request from nmsindy to swap Monday dates, and of course I agreed.  … Read more >>

I must admit that this seemed to be about the toughest Nestor puzzle I’ve ever come across. As a result, I was picking away at it all week. One final entry, 17dn, remained … Read more >>

As usual a good crossword from Phi.  If anything the clues are even better-constructed than usual: they can all be explained easily after the event, although they are not necessarily always easy. One … Read more >>

I had the pleasure of meeting Quaiteaux at the last London  S&B. Found this pretty difficult in places and some bits still evade me.   There seems to loads of Cryptic Double definitions … Read more >>

Tackling a puzzle by a compiler/pseudonym that is new to one is always an exciting and somewhat daunting prospect, and especially daunting on a day when one has been scheduled to produce a … Read more >>

It’s been quite a while since I blogged an Eimi puzzle, so this was a welcome appearance from the Ed. The grid suggested that there was a theme (as did the setter!), but … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism I found this a bit more difficult than the usual Quixote and there were one or two clues I had to work quite hard … Read more >>

I am blogging this in The Old Joint Stock in Birmingham, where we are anticipating tomorrow’s Sloggers & Betters meet (which will have happened by the time you read this). Fortunately, it doesn’t … Read more >>

I heard a short while ago that flashling has unexpected work commitments today and will be unable to blog so here is an analysis of the clues. Sorry for the brevity and lack … Read more >>

A challenging, entertaining and eminently satisfying puzzle to solve – one would expect nothing else of an Anax! Yet again, he has served up a multitude of meticulously constructed clues, which I hope … Read more >>