Independent

Two tricky ones on the trot for me. I thought this was every bit as tough as last Friday’s Red Nose Day offering, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t need … Read more >>

Nothing special from Dac today. Normally when one says this one means that it is mediocre, with nothing remarkably good about it. In this case it simply means that the crossword is well up … Read more >>

It’s Tuesday, it’s the Independent so it must be theme day. Well if there is one I can’t see it, seems to be a vanilla crossword. Mordred returns to test us today and … Read more >>

Some very pleasing clues in what, I think, is Crosophile’s second Indy appearance, solving time 36 mins. No Nina/theme that I have spotted but very happy to be put right if I’ve missed … Read more >>

A nice round number this week, and a nicely-rounded puzzle from Quixote to complement it. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Across 1 HENRY THE FIRST – (FRESH ENTRY HIT)*. 8 … Read more >>

Drawing a Scorpion on a blogging day is always a little daunting, and this was a thorough workout. Many of this week’s entries are towns on or near the River Thames. It will … Read more >>

Well I found this pretty darn tough. Most of the acrosses went in fairly easily, but the low-numbered downs were much harder and required some liberal use of the online Reveal button! And … Read more >>

A breathtaking achievement from Anax. The vast majority of the clues have a surface that refers to the same thing, yet there is no strain and they all work quite naturally. This kind … Read more >>

After yesterday’s surprise appearance by Phi we are back to normal for a Wednesday with Dac and his customary fine clues. This puzzle was a little on the easy side for my taste but … Read more >>

When logging on to the Independent website this morning, I had to do a double-take: had I slept for three days and woken up to Phi’s usual Friday crossword or had the unthinkable … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism After last week’s digression into the world of music, the Indy was back on more familiar territory this week with – you’ve guessed it … Read more >>

Seems ages since I did a blog – I’ve added the clues to remind solvers as it was published a week ago. A couple of rarer words and some nice wordplay here. But … Read more >>

A puzzle curiously centred on “Rear Window” – not only the Hitchcock film, but also the various signs and items that may be seen in the rear window of a car. While solving … Read more >>

As usual a nice tidy crossword from Phi. So good in fact that there is really very little to say, a sign of quality. Now that I’ve said that there is no doubt plenty … Read more >>

What a good day for puzzles, Loroso, Araucaria and Morph! We have a fairy tale theme from Morph today with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs featuring in the clues and Heigh Ho Heigh … Read more >>