Guardian 25,127 / Paul
Another mastery offering from one of my favourite setters who is a deft hand at combining devilry and humour with a touch of risque in most of his puzzles. However challenging his clues … Read more >>
Guardian
Guardian Quiptic 567 / Don Putnam
I thought this was a sound puzzle for those at the start of their cryptic solving careers. Some straightforward solves to get you going with some crossing letters, and then the rest falling … Read more >>
Guardian 25,126 / Brendan
It’s always rather disorientating not to start the week with Rufus but even more so to see Brendan’s name on a Monday puzzle. However, this was more straightforward than many of his, since … Read more >>
Guardian 25,119 (Sat 18 Sep)/Brummie – Spice girls
Solving time: 8½ mins This puzzle was themed on the nursery rhyme about little boys being made of frogs and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails and little girls of sugar and spice and all … Read more >>
Guardian 25,124 – Gordius
Many happy returns, Gordius. I got into this quickly then struggled with the last few clues. Still unsure about some wordplay, and 24dn was a new word for me. 8 and 25 made … Read more >>
Guardian 25,123 – Paul
It’s been a good Guardian week so far, and Paul continues the pattern with this entertaining puzzle. There were a few particularly easy clues to give a good start, and the rest weren’t … Read more >>
Guardian 25,122 / Enigmatist
A challenging but rewarding workout from Enigmatist, as is to be expected, with one or two really straightforward clues to give a bit of a foothold. I’ve learned another new word today at … Read more >>
Guardian 25121 – What Shall We Do With The Drunken Boatman
When, as usual, I quickly read through all the clues before I start solving, I could not help but notice a common thread of drinks and drunks; just my cup of tea, if … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 566 / Pan
A relatively straightforward solve for my first review on this site. Not one of my favourite puzzles, but only one or two minor niggles. All definitions given are from Chambers 11th Edition. Most … Read more >>
Guardian 25,120 / Rufus
A nice puzzle to start the week with. There are three clues which have rather tricky words in them (9a, 3d and 7d) but otherwise I think this should have been pretty straightforward. … Read more >>
Guardian 25,113 (Sat 11 Sep)/Paul – Optimised
Solving time: 8½ mins Excellent stuff from Paul with an impressive grid and virtually faultless clueing. 27ac (GENE POOL) was perhaps my favourite. Music of the day: sometimes I struggle to find something … Read more >>
Guardian 25,118 / Paul
A tricky puzzle from Paul, I think, with a theme of card games – lots of clever clues, and fun to work on. (For the first time in ages I’m doing this on … Read more >>
Guardian 25,117 / Araucaria
On the first run through this, I put in only two or three answers and thought I was in for a hard slog. However, once I found a few more, it all flowed … Read more >>
Guardian 25,116 – Orlando
Good morning. We found this a well-rounded and enjoyable puzzle at the easier end of the scale, with plenty of neat wordings. One of the notable features today was how well the surfaces … Read more >>
Guardian 25115 – Crucible, A Severe Test
I have always thought crucible is a container used in the science laboratory and the name of a famous venue for snookers in Sheffield, Yorkshire. This morning, I looked up Chambers which told … Read more >>