Independent

An excellent puzzle from this talented setter.    Solving time, 37 mins. * = anagram   < = reverse ACROSS 1 LEAD-FREE PETROL    Got this straightaway – (G)asoline with first letter (lead) off. 8 … Read more >>

Solving time, 21 mins. Some clues explained below, happy to explain others if asked. < = reversed ACROSS 1 BA (I) L (l) All refers to cricket – delivery = ball (bowled by … Read more >>

As usual, many lovely clues. Am I safe in saying that there’s no Nina? Or is the fact that there were four double clues, all symmetrically placed, somehow significant? Across 1 ACCLAIMED – … Read more >>

Solving time: 21 minutes.  I really enjoy Glow-worm’s puzzles, both the blocked  and his barred puzzles which appear in the Listener , Inquisitor and EV canon.  Today’s was no exception with a couple … Read more >>

* = anag, < reversed A neat themed puzzle based on the unusual subject of bell sounds (clued by 16 across using a different interpretation of the meaning). Across 5 Peal: soundalike of … Read more >>

Tougher than usual from Phi, but all understood as one expects from experience from this top setter.   Solving time, 37 mins. * = anagram  < = reverse ACROSS 9 PULSATE   Cunning as … Read more >>

Another fantastic puzzle from Bannsider with a crop of great clues. My favourite was 21d but there are probably half a dozen others equally as good. I don’t understand 1d though and I … Read more >>

Very enjoyable puzzle from Morph – one of the easier Thursday puzzles we’ve had for a while. Across 1 BODICE RIPPER – v.amusing def + cryptic def to get us started. 9 TART,RATES … Read more >>

Some unfamiliar words, in which the clues helped with friendly wordplay. Quite easy overall, solving time, 17 mins Notes on some clues below – happy to explain others if asked. * = anagram … Read more >>

The usual excellent puzzle from Dac. Good variety, some easier than others as it should be, but all yielding in the end. Solving time, 23 mins. * = anagram < = reversal ACROSS … Read more >>

Nice to have Virgilius back again. But where’s the Nina? I hope his cutting back isn’t extending to the clever things he does with the grids, and that it’s simply that I can’t … Read more >>

* = anag, < = reversed, () = removed A good mix of clues from Punk, many of them quite deceptive. Across 1 Leeds: homophone of “leads” 4 Trampling: T + Rampling (Charlotte … Read more >>

Across 1 (WAS)* in DON – Les DAWSON, my favourite comedian when I was young. 10 WING,C,HAIR 11 TO[-l]KE[-i]N – Tolkein was the first name that sprung to mind when I saw “fantasy … Read more >>

I have a number of crossword wishes waiting to be carried out by the crossword genie and one of them is for Scorpion puzzles to appear more often. Yes, they are very tough … Read more >>

Solving time: 25 minutes.  Quite devious from young Nimrod today with a couple of ambiguous solutions until you get the intersecting answers.  Very enjoyable with a couple of forehead slapping moments.  ACROSS  (*) = … Read more >>