Guardian Quiptic 600/Orlando
I see Orlando’s on double duty today, having also set the Guardian Cryptic. This was a sound puzzle, but there were a number of pieces of quite tricky wordplay which I’m guessing would … Read more >>
Independent 7669 by Quixote
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism According the online message, this was a puzzle from a UK v USA cryptic competition. There may have a nod to this in the … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,107 (15/05/11)
A relatively swift, but not unenjoyable, solve this week. Not an unaided finish though, as I did have to check a few unfamiliar terms and senses in the book before entry, for example … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,108 by Crosophile
My first ever attempt at blogging a Crosophile, as far as I can see, though I’ve definitely tackled a few puzzles by this setter recently. This was fair and entertaining, without being too … Read more >>
Azed 2032
With apologies for the late posting. I found this one to be at the easy end of the Azed spectrum, though I needed Chambers to confirm a few answers. I do, however, have … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3371 (8th May)
Lorraine: Good morning all, some nice clues here this week. I thoroughly enjoyed this weeks offering. Big thank you Everyman. There are two hyperlinks in this weeks blog, namely 2dn and 16dn. Across … Read more >>
Independent 7662 by Monk (Saturday prize puzzle 7th May 2011)
Full marks to Monk this week – if you get my drift. Well 20 out of 20 anyway. Some highly original touches in the grid this week, which I’ve tried to summarise in … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 25,316 by Paul
A pretty straightforward puzzle from Paul this week. I especially liked 6 down, which was a new word to me, and 19 down was a fun clue too. Apologies in advance for any typos, … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 965 – I Cut A Rose by Nutmeg
With the preamble to this EV referring to an assertion by an unclued ‘somebody’ in ‘something’, also unclued, and recommending use of a dictionary of quotations, I don’t think it is giving too much … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,692 / Mudd
A puzzle with many laugh-out-loud moments and not much struggle except with 20D and 22D. 14A, 4D, 7D and 19D were supremely funny. I had a great time solving this. Across 1 ROSE … Read more >>
Independent 7,667/Nimrod – Be afraid…
As soon as Phi appeared yesterday, I guessed that we’d be in for some sort of date-related puzzle today, and this certainly didn’t disappoint. I found this very tough from the start and … Read more >>
Guardian 25,321 – Crucible
An outstandingly entertaining and interesting puzzle by Crucible, celebrating a quatercentenary, to end off an excellent week (I even quite enjoyed the Gordius!). I usually think of Crucible as being at the hard … Read more >>
Guardian No 25,320 by Brendan
An entertaining offering from Brendan. … … … … The appearance of envelopes in almost every clue must be a theme of sorts; then there is the device indicated in 13A, for which … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,691 / Falcon
More of a stroll through the woods than a machete-wielding jungle expedition. But at least we took the scenic route, and it was fun while it lasted. Across 1 EASY MEAT – (May tease)*. … Read more >>
Independent 7666/Phi
Phi seems to crop up all over the place at the moment. There was a time when you could be pretty sure that he would appear on a Friday, but no longer. This … Read more >>