Financial Times 13,872 / Bradman
“Twelve clues lack a common definition”, said the opening line to the puzzle, but even after I was 50% through I hadn’t figured out what the definition was. Some clues (23a, 26d) did … Read more >>
Guardian 25,501 / Puck
I commented on the most recent Puck puzzle that it seemed to lack his characteristic playfulness. No such complaint with this one, which I found fun to solve. There is a range of … Read more >>
Independent 7847 by Phi
Well after yesterday’s mauling by Nestor I was quite relieved to see a Phi in normal Friday Indy mode and give me back some belief that I can do cryptic crosswords. This seems … Read more >>
Independent 7,846 / Nestor
Having enjoyed my last encounter with Nestor a month ago, from which I emerged with my solver’s pride more or less intact, I was relishing the prospect of solving this one when I … Read more >>
Financial Times no.13,871 by REDSHANK
Christmas has come early at the FT: despite us not yet being into double figures on the advent calendar, Redshank has dished up a spicy pudding of festive allusions. It doesn’t take much … Read more >>
Guardian crossword No 25,500, by Brummie
I never know quite what to expect with Brummie, and this one started off slowly, but in the end it turned out to be a very enjoyable puzzle, in difficulty I would say … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,862 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword/28 Nov A Crux crossword that most certainly will not cause a storm of comments here. It’s a nice enough puzzle, but it is like Cincinnus recently said to me: “You really … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,861 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 26 We have another fine Mudd puzzle this week. I especially like 10A (DISPLACE), 29A (TRAIN SET) and 5D (EXIT). Initially I got one clue, … Read more >>
Independent 7,845/Dac
Lovely stuff as ever from Dac. I found some of this very tough with a lot of cleverly hidden definitions and struggled with the 2 long cryptic def. clues. I cannot find a … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,870 by Cinephile
Yet another quality crossword from Cinephile and another pleasure to blog. I never cease to be amazed how he continues to produce such good crosswords at the rate he does and keeps them … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1205: Poet and Poem by Loda
The preamble told us that "solvers must fill in the central cell and highlight the poet and the poem in the completed grid (14 squares in total, in a logical order). The perimeter … Read more >>
Guardian 25,499 – Chifonie
In contrast to yesterday’s fairly tricky puzzle from Bonxie, this is a typical Chifonie, with entirely straightforward constructions, so one that would be suitable for beginners. I have a familiar quibble about 2dn, … Read more >>
Independent 7844/Radian
Rather difficult today, I thought. It took me a while to get under way, but everything made sense eventually and there are some good clues here. The theme escaped me for a while. … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,869 / Neo
This is the last Financial Times crossword I am scheduled to blog in my short spell as stand-in for scchua who will return to the Tuesday slot next week. This is the the … Read more >>
Guardian 25,498 – Bonxie
Phew! What a tough nut to crack on this watch. I had to check my Chambers and Wikipedia almost non-stop with so many new words. This puzzle is, in my opinion, more a … Read more >>