A very enjoyable puzzle that was not as difficult as it first appeared. In the end I think I spent as much time trying to find the reason to choose between the two possible orientations as I did solving the puzzle in the first place. Thank you Philistine
Guardian
Guardian Cryptic 27,141 by Pasquale
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27141.
Guardian 27,140 / Puck
Puck doesn’t get much more Puckish than this – a fun puzzle from start to finish. Apart from saying that this was what you might call a 23dn puzzle, I’ll resist the temptation … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,139 by Chifonie
Found this extremely straightforward – favourites were 11ac and 8dn. Thanks, Chifonie
Guardian 27,138 – Brummie
I started off rather slowly with this, but speeded up as things fell into place. There were a couple of rather obscure words, but all clearly clued. There’s a theme of cinema genres, … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 903/Provis
Quite a toughie today, I thought, but you tell me otherwise. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed definitions … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,137 by Rufus
Double definitions galore.
Guardian Genius 164 – Crucible
I’m sure the idea of replacing an answer with its ‘pair’ has been done in the Genius series before, but it gives plenty of scope to the setter. Some of the pairings here … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,130 / Paul
A fruitful offering from Paul, with some nice clues – I have to say, though, that I was quite surprised when I suddenly found I had finished it . Paul is not among … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27135 Nutmeg
A couple of answers took a bit longer at the end. Thanks to Nutmeg. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Speculators added to Harry’s recurrent worries (8) BUGBEARS : BEARS(speculators who … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,134 by Arachne
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27134.
Guardian 27,133 / Picaroon
Seeing Picaroon’s name this morning made me, if possible, even more thankful that I was scheduled to blog today rather than yesterday. Another excellent and most enjoyable offering from Picaroon, with the usual … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,132 by Sphinx
The first Sphinx puzzle I’ve seen, and a bit of a mixed bag. Mostly clever with some obscure words and some awkward parsing. Favourites were 20ac and 8dn. Thanks, Sphinx
Edit: since blogging, the online version of the puzzle has added [italics mine]:
“Special instructions: Having solved this puzzle, tonight’s episode of ‘Inside No 9’ on BBC2 at 10pm would interest you”
The episode is titled ‘The Riddle of the Sphinx’, and involves a cryptic setter and a woman named Nina… [BBC link] [Fifteensquared post]
Second Edit: [Link to a separate post with spoilers for the TV episode]
Quiptic 902/Pan
I liked this Quiptic from Pan, but found it tricky in places. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed definitions are … Read more >>