Independent

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism Nicely varied crossword that was probably a bit easier than some of Glow-Worm’s previous offerings. I was mostly held up by 2 down, which … Read more >>

The usual good product from Phi. Several enormous anagrams — he must have been out with his Scrabble tiles. Across 1 ‘S A MOA — I think, although ‘s for it’s I’m not … Read more >>

Another challenging-but-fun weekend puzzle from Anax, which kept me occupied for some time, and briefly had me wondering if I was going to manage it. In the end everything came together nicely of … Read more >>

It seems to be nearly a year since I blogged a Morph, and I do remember struggling with that one. This seemed a bit easier, though still pretty challenging of course, so maybe … Read more >>

Solving time, 26 mins, found top half harder than bottom half. * = anagram  < = reversed ACROSS 1 TH(e) WAR conflicT 5 (d)IVAN 8 LEGIT (I’M)ATISED     I’m in (I get details)* 10 … Read more >>

I found this a bit tougher than the average Dac. There are quite a few single word answers of 10 or more characters and these often seem to slow me down. Lovely clueing … Read more >>

Very enjoyable puzzle from Radian, which I found somewhat easier than usual from this setter.  Solving time, 20 mins.  Nina referred to at end. * = anagram     < = reversed ACROSS 1 NOUGHT    … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism A mostly easy puzzle with a couple of harder clues and one that’s driving me bananas trying to understand. There were some excellent clues … Read more >>

I enjoyed this puzzle a lot, very tough and very satisfying to finish, with all understood, and some very well constructed clues, as one expects from Phi.   Solving time, 40 mins. * = … Read more >>

This is the first puzzle by Dac that I have blogged.  I didn’t find anything too difficult.  I’m not sure how long this took as I did it whilst watching Saturday afternoon football … Read more >>

We haven’t had many Tyrus puzzles, but he is for my money by far the hardest setter on the Indy team. I spent an hour tackling this online last night and managed to … Read more >>

Something to look out for here,  referred to after the clue explanations.     Solving time, 21 mins. * = anagram     < = reversed ACROSS 6 PRECIS   LecturE 7 ORRIS    Hidden 9 (Guar)DIAN THUS    R … Read more >>

The usual lovely thing from Dac. There’s really very little to say because everything fits so well and the clues are almost all clearly-constructed and faultless. Across 1 CO(MIC)OPER A 6 PEER — … Read more >>

This was fun – a very thoroughly-themed and enjoyable puzzle from Virgilius. Whilst not unduly taxing on the whole, I imagine this one will be popular with readers. For my own part, I’ll … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism A delightful and very solvable puzzle from Tees. The clues were always fair, with the only obscure phrases (27 and 14) having straightforward clues. … Read more >>