Guardian

A very enjoyable puzzle – mostly not too hard, and there are a few brilliant clues, I think – 28a and 20d in particular for me Across 1. KIPPER Cryptic definition: “out” as … Read more >>

I must say this puzzle had me entertained all the way. The hard-boiled eggs which I had come to expect from Gordius thankfully did not materialise and all the clues were fair, solveable … Read more >>

A characteristically straightforward yet stylish offering from Rufus, with the ingenious anagrams and seamless, story-telling surfaces that we know to expect, with not too many cryptic clues for those who dislike them. [Unfortunately, … Read more >>

Solving time: 9 mins This was a puzzle not of four quarters but two halves: I solved very few answers (only six or so) in the first five minutes before spotting the theme … Read more >>

Extremely clever as always from Brendan. 12 especially made me smile. Across 9 NASTINESS N[ew] + ASTI=an Italian wine region + NESS=head 11 WHITE WHIT=a little bit + E[uropean] 12 GARDENERS (enraged)* + … Read more >>

It’s always a pleasure to do a post here about one of Paul’s puzzles. Some excellent clues here, my favourites are hopefully obvious from the post below. I didn’t find this too difficult … Read more >>

It’s only three weeks since the last Arachne puzzle and, according to Andrew’s review of the year, we had only seven of hers in 2009, so this is a welcome early return. There’s … Read more >>

Brummie presented yet another very Ximenean puzzle which is not as difficult as one under his other alter ego in the Private Eye. Shorn of risque references, it is not quite as entertaining … Read more >>

Very easy Bank Holiday fare from Rufus today, though with the usual wit and elegant surface readings.           Across 1. INCURIOUS INCUR I.O.U.S 6. CAWS [MA]CAWS 8. APERITIF (FIT … Read more >>

Solving time: 8 mins For Araucaria this was surprisingly straightforward, but that’s probably just as well with a bank holiday special due this week. One of the reasons for the lower-than-average difficulty was … Read more >>

Notes on this crossword below… Across 1. SECULARISATION (LAURA IS)* in SECTION = “part” 9. NAMEPLATE NAME = “Christen” + “South American river” = PLATE; the definition is “in brass at the door” … Read more >>

Well, Andrew’s observation turned out right again. I’ve looked forward for a long time to blogging my first Shed, especially since his RHOTIC clue last year, and this didn’t disappoint. [There is  even … Read more >>

There were no Audreus puzzles for over a year, but now we’ve had two from her in fairly quick succession (the last was on 9th April). On past form it’s a fairly safe … Read more >>