Guardian 25,134 – Orlando
A pleasant challenge from Orlando with a cute mini-theme around “11”. 14a, 16 and 17 were especially nice. Across 9 HINDEMITH HIND=back + EMI=record company + TH[e] 10 OPRAH rev(HARPO) Marx 11 LATERAL … Read more >>
Guardian
Guardian 25133 Paul – Do The Bossa Nova
WOW! A follow-on from one of my favourite setters. I am indeed blessed. As to be expected, Paul combines linguistic intrigue with a generous sense of humour, making his puzzles so challenging, yet … Read more >>
Guardian 25132 / Rufus
A tougher than normal puzzle from Rufus, I thought, but perhaps just because of quite a few gaps in my knowledge. (See below.) Very smooth surface readings, as ever – my particular favourite … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic nº568, by Hectence
A straightforward Quiptic this week, with a number of tried and trusted devices, and very few less-known words. A good one for a beginner, my only quibble being 25ac., which I’m not sure … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 87 by Lavatch
Six months have passed, so it must be my turn to blog a Guardian Genius again. I have solved one or two Lavatch puzzles in The Listener so I knew this would … Read more >>
Guardian 25,125 / Araucaria (25 Sept)
I do enjoy Araucaria’s alphabetical jigsaws and this was no exception. I don’t remember one previously where the answers could be entered into the grid in two possible ways but the completed grid … Read more >>
Guardian 25,130 – Arachne
The kiss of the spiderwoman turned out to be not too severe today, with help from easy clues to the long answers at 1ac and 7dn. There’s some quite devious wordplay, though, that … Read more >>
Guardian 25,129 / Araucaria
We’re both rather bleary-eyed today, so apologies for any typos. This was about as easy as Araucaria gets, but had lots of nice touches which made for a light, enjoyable solve. A few … Read more >>
Guardian 25128 / Pasquale
This was a very high quality puzzle from Pasquale, but unfortunately too tough for me complete in the time I have available on a weekday. There are several new words or phrases for … Read more >>
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 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 >>