Independent

The normal entertaining, accessible, fare from Dac. Solving time: 16 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 SU PER    rep us  all reversed    remember rep = traveller    less of them than … Read more >>

Always a pleasure to do a Virgilius. Not especially taxing on the obscurity of answers (although 19 was new to me) but inventive and amusing. As indicated in 16/17 there are plenty of … Read more >>

The last time I blogged a Mass puzzle I introduced it thus: “A compiler I usually struggle with but not on this occasion. There are some very nice clues in this but a … Read more >>

An appropriately timed and themed crossword as the date of publication (June 2nd) was the 150th anniversary of 28A’s birth. It’s also fitting that Nimrod (Enigmatist in the Guardian) should be the compiler … Read more >>

A pleasing puzzle from Phi, with a couple of good arts and literature references. Some very nice, very wry cryptic defs. Across 7 KEEP OFF THE GRASS Witty cryptic definition. 9 LEGIT Double … Read more >>

In a relaunch of the paper this has been moved from the inside back page – on P 75 of 96 this week. Solving time: 15 mins – held up by 18/7 Down … Read more >>

Spot the Nina time – take a peek down the left- and right-hand sides of the grid. Across 1 VEND – I hope I’ve understand this correctly: SALSA appears in the completed grid … Read more >>

The usual excellent, accessible, entertaining, fare. Solving time: 19 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 BLOOMS BURY   Not a container and contents! 6 C (A) MP 12 LIST-LESS 21 MAIN STAY    … Read more >>

Not too difficult. Solving time: 19 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 S (TRAP PAD) O Pad = tread = tramp thus = so 9 AM OUR AM = “after which PM” electorate … Read more >>

I think this is an easier crossword than Morph’s previous Independent crosswords, it’s certainly the quickest I’ve solved a Morph! That’s not a criticism though as it’s thoroughly fair and characteristically entertaining. Anyway, … Read more >>

Last Saturday’s Monk puzzle was difficult enough but I thought this offering from Merlin was even tougher. This was mainly due to the theme of the puzzle – all but two of the … Read more >>

I remembered slightly late in the day that it was my blog today and dashed out for the paper. I’m not sure Bannsider sits well with having had a few drinks at lunchtime! … Read more >>

The usual excellent fare. Solving time: 13 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 SEAMSTRESS Cryptic definition 6 SCAM(p) 14 SWIMMING POOL Which in crossword language could mean – make an anagram of it … Read more >>

The usual top quality puzzle from Phi, with all clear in the end. Held up a little by two musical clues (9 ac, 4 dn) crossing, but got there in the end. In … Read more >>

Across 1 R,(A DIPS)* 4 I,MIT(t) in SCAR – excellent &lit clue. 9 (A SLAVONIC VIRTUE)* 11 SHELLAC – tricky one this, and a guess for me. SHELLAC is a US word meaning … Read more >>