FT

There was a bit of a theme here with words for various kinds of frivolity. However, I’m afraid this puzzle was not as much of a “lark” or a “hoot” as it might … Read more >>

A wide spread of domains covered today – books, film, food, places, famous people. Harder than Falcon’s usual; fine clueing as always. Across 1 BRUTUS BRUT (very dry, used of wine) US. The … Read more >>

Not a particularly tricky (or satisfying) puzzle today. My main gripe being the inundation of mundane [Word A] + [Word B] = [Answer] constructions.  I can’t recall ever seeing another puzzle that contained … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 29 March 2010 What a pleasant surprise to have Mudd in this Monday slot. For the uninitiated, Mudd is John Halpern, said to be a libertarian setter who also … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 27 Cincinnus has some very artfully fashioned clues here: 1A, 21A, 24A, 6D and 17D. Across 1. OPERATIC – ERA (long time) in OPTIC (viewer) … Read more >>

Nothing too difficult today so a very quick, though pleasant, solve. Only two clues required dictionary assistance to confirm the wordplay (the container in 10ac) or the answer (16dn) but both were entered … Read more >>

I thought this puzzle was very creative. Several of the definitions were particularly well-hidden or clever, e.g., 14 down. Across 1 SWASHBUCKLER S (“first: steam”) WASH (clean) BUCKLE (fold) R (“second: iron”).  Having … Read more >>

A pity that today’s puzzle decided to do an online impersonation of the Scarlet Pimpernel, as it’s worthy of a broader audience than it’ll probably end up receiving.  If anything, some answers in … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 22 March 2010 Dante is back with another light and easy week-opener. As usual, he impressed with his slick construction and smooth surfaces. I wonder whether 16Across can be … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 20 A specially good puzzle from Mudd this time. I like 9A, 15A, 23A, 5D and 14D. Across 1. COMPASS – M (male) in COP … Read more >>

Not a lot to say today. The puzzle didn’t seem to have any sparkle though my feelings about it may have been affected by the high winds and heavy rain that are making … Read more >>

Apologies to all — I did not have a chance to blog until quite late today. No-one familiar with this setter will be surprised at the number of cryptic definitions.  However, most of … Read more >>

Unfortunately Shuchi is unable to join us today so here is a substitute analysis. A fairly straightforward puzzle in the main but I have to admit that I had never heard of 12ac … Read more >>

Another typically solid puzzle from Orense (does anyone know whether the correct pronunciation is O-rense or Oar-ense? I’ve always wondered.).  One answer entered more in hope than expectation at 7D. Across 1 BUFFER … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 15 March 2010 Quite a varied potpourri of not-too-difficult clues. Very fair and entertaining. ACROSS 1,28 MAKE BOTH ENDS MEET Allusion to the fact that the Channel Tunnel was … Read more >>