Independent

Solving time, 14 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 CUB A 3 DE-CREED 8 ARABIAN NIGHTS (aghast in NI bar)* 9 A RR (Right Reverend) ESTEE(m) 10 FUR ROW 11 INLIER I in … Read more >>

As always with Dac, clue after clue hits the button. Across 1 SUBJECT — 2 defs 5 DA(STAR)D — although the similar word with a different initial letter has a similar meaning, at … Read more >>

A thoroughly enjoyable puzzle with some great clues and a mini-theme. Two or three potentially tricky words (5, 11 and 25) but I thought these were all fairly clued and very gettable from … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone A good variety of clues with some excellent surface readings.  There were just a couple that I thought were a little questionable. Across 1 Miaow: (I am)* + ow. 4 … Read more >>

Solving time, 14 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 DEad SO LATE 5 ST PAUL New Testament epistle writer and US city 9 REF ERR A L 10 C RUM B S 12 … Read more >>

There’s a Nina here which I spotted during solving but only just worked out what it’s about. From the top left-hand corner we have GABRIELLE, BREE, SUSAN, LYNETTE and EDIE (the first E … Read more >>

Across 1 (TIE FOR)*,PA’S,SAGE – RITE OF PASSAGE. 8 MAC’S (reversed) 9 SOMERSAULT – sounds like “summer salt”, which are both types of “season”. Not sure about “pouring out” as the homophone indicator … Read more >>

Not too difficult. Solving time, 16 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 U MP IRE 4 OB SERVER Nice seamless join at see/old 9 CHE RUB 10 TORT ILL A … Read more >>

Sorry for the late, quick blog. Busy day! Nice puzzle as always from Dac, some of which I found a little tricky Across 1 SPRY – [afte]R[noon] in SPY 4 SEAM BOWLER – … Read more >>

A Remembrance Day-themed crossword from Eimi most of which was pleasant and accessible but which I found hard to finish. Help needed with 22dn, please. Across 1 MIMI C — I’m not keen on the … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone After my abject failure with last Monday’s puzzle, I got up half an hour earlier to give myself extra time to complete this one. I needn’t have worried, since … Read more >>

Bannsider’s puzzles are consistently excellent and this was no exception. Funny grid though, with that blob of white squares in the middle. I’ve never read anything by Arnold Bennett so I have to … Read more >>

Well well, this was very nice! If Phi gets bumped from a Friday, there’s usually something afoot. For any newcomers (and, with any luck, there will be some), today is the 2nd anniversary … Read more >>

There’s a Nina/theme in this puzzle, which I refer to after the clue explanations.  Solving time, 16 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 SERF  frees< less the central e 4 … Read more >>

Very easy, indeed, I thought – as fast as I’ve solved any Indy puzzle this year – but not solved correctly, thanks, Neal H. * = anagram 1 C (HEAP)O 5 TEST CASE … Read more >>