Independent

Solving time:  Most of the day! I was having to dip in and out of this between hospital appointments today and I found this experience very tough going.  Like my Co-blogger today, there … Read more >>

The usual satisfying fare. Solving time: 15 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 PLAYED OUT “Play” “doubt” “said” 9 R (E) ICH STAG e is the most common letter in English so abbreviations … Read more >>

Another excellent puzzle by Dac and they don’t have to be hard to be good. Solving time: 11 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 S TRUCK 4 BIG BUCKS 15 ARIA Alternate letters … Read more >>

I always enjoy Virgilius puzzles. This was no exception, lots to enjoy and very rarely anything dissatisfying in any way. No theme or nina as far as I can tell although 1A and … Read more >>

Across 1 MP in TRUED UP 9 ACK(nowledge) in BLOG – nice to see words like BLOG appearing in crosswords but, if you know the word, “online journal” is something of a giveaway. … Read more >>

Solving time: 15 mins? In a bit of blogging confusion I asked eimi for a copy of a puzzle I’d thrown away and thought I had to blog. He sent it with this … Read more >>

Nimrod is Nimrod: got almost everything, I think. Solving time: 17 mins (quick for me for Nimrod) * = anagram ACROSS 1 M I A OW Mow is a pile of hay 4 … Read more >>

My first blog after a two and a half week break away from crosswords and luckily for me and my sleep-deprived brain, it’s a Phi. I did actually manage to solve a few … Read more >>

Another pleasing puzzle from Quixote on Easter Sunday, with appropriate references. Solving time: 11 mins ACROSS 9 I M (A GIN) E Quixote = me 11 CAR (PEN) TER Jimmy Carter “gets writer … Read more >>

This was very tough indeed, some less than familiar phrases, finally tracked down, with some real gems when all became clear. Solving time: 45 mins * = anagram ACROSS 8 CUTTING BOTH WAYS … Read more >>

Please note that this puzzle, due to a slip-up at the Indy, was the same as the previous day, already reviewed on this site.

Another great themed puzzle from Virgilius . 15 gave HIDDEN AGENDAS and every across row had the word AGENDA in order with every across answer contributing something. Solving time: 18 mins * = … Read more >>

Themed in line with recent Indy trends. Very pleasing puzzle. Solving time: 20 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 OVAL OFFICE In the White House off-ice (less likely to slip) 10 S HAP … Read more >>

A theme to this – referred to after the clue explanations Solving time 6+5 mins i.e. 11 mins ACROSS 10 SCAN(t) 11 GENERATION (one creating)* less c = about “not about” 12 C … Read more >>

I found this one quite straightforward Solving time: 11 mins * = anagram ACROSS 5 PAL ELY Our old friend see = ely “Coming to the fore” means put “pal” before it. 6 … Read more >>