The usual very nice workout from Raich; not really demanding, but enough to cause someone like me to stop and think from time to time. I had no quibbles with any of the clues: they all seemed to be sound and some of them, like (and here I look through the clues to find ones to quote and nothing really stands out either positively or negatively, but perhaps) 6dn and 7dn were good.
Guardian 26,671 by Screw
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26671.
Quiptic 825 by Nutmeg
A welcome appearance in the Quiptic slot of every solver’s favourite Spice Girl.
Independent 9016 by Hoskins
* = anagram [] = removed A(mpere) = abbreviation Hoskins is a completely new setter and that always makes things a little tricky, as you don’t quite know what to expect. I found … Read more >>
Guardian 26,670 / Rufus
This is the first Monday Guardian cryptic that I have solved for many, many months but I see that Rufus is still following his remit of providing a puzzle suitable for beginners and … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,330
Blimey, this was a bit of a workout. I’ve actually only just finished it after returning several times over the week. Good stuff though, and plenty of interesting and unfamiliar terms to get … Read more >>
Azed 2256
On my scale of “how much did I finish while and shortly after eating my breakfast?” I think this one came in as medium-strength. A good selection of unfamiliar words, but even these … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 146 – Qaos
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A nice challenge from Caos.
Everyman 3595
Another excellent offering from Everyman. I enjoyed solving and blogging this one, partly because it has given me the chance to chunter on about a couple of pieces of English usage that are … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,332 by Poins
Typical Independent on Sunday puzzle, straightforward though not necessarily easy. Thanks Poins.
Guardian Bank Holiday Special by Maskarade
A musical theme for this August’s bank holiday special from Maskarade, which was much easier than the epic he devised for us last year.
Independent Crossword 9009 by Nimrod (29-08-2015)
As summer approaches its conclusion – an offering from Nimrod to ease the transition to autumn. Some quite tricky clues mixed with a number of more straight forward ones. And a familiar (to me … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1188: Portmanteau by Ifor
In PORTMANTEAU, Ifor suggests that ‘some’ solvers might be inclined to ask for help from others – who might respond in a way suggested by ‘three phrases with similar meanings’, which in turn had … Read more >>
Guardian 26,668 / Arachne
What an end to the week! – Arachne’s back again with a sparkling puzzle, bursting with wit, with an ingenious collection of clue types and not a dud one among them. Just a … Read more >>
Independent 9,014 / Phi
The Friday slot is Phi’s traditional home, and here he is again with his latest offering. I found this puzzle towards the easier end of the Phi spectrum. The grid is one that … Read more >>