Never knowingly undersolved
Mostly very straightforward, though there were a couple of clues that held me up briefly at the end. Thanks to Vulcan. Across 1 PLASTER Material for the cast that comes from Paris … Read more >>
A characteristically clever puzzle from Paul for this week’s Prize.
A rather easier offering from Paul today than sone of his recent puzzles, and without any very long or linked answers. No less enjoyable for that: thanks to Paul. Across 1 WAGTAIL … Read more >>
Thank you to Picaroon. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1, 6. Conservative listing dodgy deal is in the dailies (8,6) CLEANING LADIES : C(abbrev. for a member of the Conservative Party) … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29132.
My first blog of a Brockwell puzzle: this is only his third appearance and the first two were in the Prize slot. The previous puzzles were heavily themed: the first celebrated the fiftieth … Read more >>
Many delightful surface readings in this morning’s Quiptic from Bartland, with only the slightly solver-unfriendly grid ratcheting up the difficulty level. I enjoyed this one. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad … Read more >>
A few extra tricks compared to most Mondays – my favourites were 8ac, 9ac, 12ac/14ac, 1dn, 3dn, and 7dn. Thanks to Philistine
A first appearance from Arachne in quite a while, and a poignant preamble: ‘In memory of 5 (25 10), 1948-2023‘.
A tough and enjoyable solve – lots of likes, including 13ac, 15ac, 24ac, 3dn, 5dn, and 21dn. Thanks to Picaroon for the puzzle.
We haven’t seen Boatman for a while, and this was a tricky one, with some quite involved constructions. Thanks to Boatman. Across 9 THIEF Boatman taken by the force as a criminal … Read more >>
Vlad is today's Guardian complier.
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29125.
It’s been one of those weekends, with three consecutive blogs from me, winding up predictably with a puzzle from Vulcan in his fortnightly slot. All pretty straightforward, with just one unfamiliar word, for … Read more >>
Thank you to Anto. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. It’s not unusual to hold a position (7) STATION : Anagram of(… unusual) IT’S NOT containing(to hold) A. 5. Guardiola attending … Read more >>