Guardian

A mostly very enjoyable puzzle, with a nicely done theme. Across 1. CALIFORNIUM Two subsidiary indicators here: (a) A Latinist might say Californium is the singular of California (“state”) (b) CALIF = “leader … Read more >>

Very enjoyable puzzle with a cleverly clued theme. Very Paul, very good. Across 8 CINERAMA: anagram of AMERICAN 9 ANODES: O (nothing) in ANDES (range) 11 LINSEED OIL: anagram of DEONISE in LL … Read more >>

There was nothing too difficult in this puzzle from Auster, though I caused myself a little trouble by guessing wrong at 4d (plausibly, I think). Altogether very enjoyable, with a gentle wit showing … Read more >>

A most enjoyable puzzle very cleverly and creatively crafted after a fashion. I like the way Boatman managed to use the themed phrase in so many different ways and as various devices. Good … Read more >>

There’s vintage Rufus here – some beautifully smooth surfaces and clever anagrams – with some easy charades thrown in for good measure. Across 1 SLAUGHTER: S[hake] + LAUGHTER 6  EMMA: the familiar crossword … Read more >>

Solving time: 10 mins This was vintage Paul: some amazing anagrams (8ac/7ac, 15ac/22dn, 22ac/23ac), a couple of long reverse charades (13dn, 24dn/3dn) and a classic at 16dn. Music of the Day (16dn): Set … Read more >>

Found this quite tough to get into but got there in the end… some very clever cluing, I thought. Nice theme of eating and drinking, with some kind of nod towards it in … Read more >>

A typically enjoyable Chifonie, I think – some tricky clues sprinkled among the easier ones [Links to the puzzle as HTML, PDF and Java Applet] Across 7. MISSPENT MISS = “girl” + PENT … Read more >>

An enjoyable and not-too-taxing puzzle from Orlando, with a fair number of straightforward charade clues. There are one or two indicators which some may not like! Across 9   IMPROVISE: IS in IMPROVE [revamp] … Read more >>

The Chinese character for double happiness would have been appropriate to headline today’s entry … for the second week running, I got to blog The Master and what a lovely experience. Some new … Read more >>

A typical Monday Rufus, with no difficulties apart from the obscure word at 24dn. The usual smattering of cryptic definitions, none of which particularly grabbed me, but there are two nice &lits at … Read more >>

Solving time: 10 mins As usual with Brummie I had a slow start on this but then got moving once I had some checking letters. A few bits of looseness here and there … Read more >>

A mixed puzzle, which unfortunately exemplifies why recently I’ve only been doing puzzles from my favourite setters when they come up in the Guardian – there are some excellent clues, but enough dodgy … Read more >>

I’ve been very fortunate today – one of my favourite setters, who did not disappoint, giving us a pleasant literary theme, that was not too dominant, with some deft interlinking and flawless cluing, … Read more >>

Gordius is not one of my favouruite setters, and this puzzle has done nothing to change my opinion. There’s nothing seriously wrong with it, I suppose, but just a few clues that have … Read more >>