Independent

Not too difficult – solving time, 18 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 T (A MA) RACK 5 SCH E MA 9 ATROCIT Y (Riot Act)* Y = end of unruly (last letter) … Read more >>

Solving time:  23 minutes  Apologies for the late hour of posting, but a long day of hospital treatment left me rather zonked.   This was a typical enjoyable Dac puzzle with elegant surface readings and … Read more >>

An entertaining puzzle from that nice man we usually see on Fridays. Across 1 INSE[-t],CURE 5 M[i]CE,WAN – the last one I filled in and the toughest clue of the puzzle I thought. … Read more >>

* = anag, < = reversed, () = dropped A slightly easier puzzle from Tees compared to some recent entries, although I have no idea who the person in 24 across was. Across … Read more >>

I’d the privilege of meeting Nestor briefly at the Listener setters’ dinner on the day this puzzle appeared.  I told him I’d struggled with it on the train, but I think he assured … Read more >>

Around about this time each week I usually post a blog about the Saturday prize puzzle in the Independent. However, as I spent most of the weekend preparing to move house and then … Read more >>

A very nice puzzle with a mini-theme based on 28a. Eminently solvable, even for occasional wine drinkers like myself. Across 9 IN THE SOUP – “noodle” can mean a simpleton or blockhead, someone … Read more >>

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 >>