Independent 8119 by Punk

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*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism An unusual Monday outing for Punk, which was a themed puzzle, the theme being people and things from Brighton. Since I didn’t know any … Read more >>

Everyman N° 3,445 (14 October)

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The odd less common reference, the inevitable bit of geography, notably coherent surfaces – what more can one say? Everyman continues to produce crosswords which are not pitched too high for most beginners, but have enough spice to satisfy more experienced solvers.

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Azed 2106

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A puzzle in the middle of the Azed scale of difficulty, with no particularly involved clue construction, but a few rather obscure references needing lookups in Chambers and elsewhere. As always, quality clueing … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,766 / Tramp

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  Following recent Prize puzzles from relative newcomers Qaos and Picaroon, here’s Tramp’s welcome first appearance in the Saturday slot [although he has written some excellent Genius puzzles]. We were expecting it, because … Read more >>

Independent 8117/Phi

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As always a nice crossword from Phi. The system of having a number of clues (the answers to which are in bold) that rely on some already-solved clues is not my favourite, but in this … Read more >>

Financial Times 14,139 by Orense

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Good start to the day       Across 1 PLAINTIFF (litigant) sounds like (say) PLANE TIFF 6 STICK (criticism) S[kinhead] TICK (credit) 9 LOCUM (doctor) sounds like (rumours) LOW COME (depression, arrive) … Read more >>

Beelzebub 1180

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Easier end of the Beelzebub spectrum but still a satisfying challenge       Across 1 Not entirely direct about direct debit’s former function STEDDE (function obs) DD (direct debit) in STEE[r] (direct) … Read more >>

Financial Times no.14,138 by STYX

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I enjoyed this morning’s not-too-tough offering from Styx, although I found the odd clue surprisingly knotty (like discovering ball-bearings in your candy-floss). My main cavil would be that I think an anagram is … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25770 Paul

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I had a very pleasant time solving this – a witty and clever puzzle.  My favourites were the clues with the mathematical signs, the setter managing to include the 4 most common.  Thanks … Read more >>