Financial Times 13,694 / Dante
Monday Prize Crossword from May 16 Apologies for the late posting. Unusually for Dante, I thought the best clues here were some of the anagrams, e.g. 19 across, rather than the cd’s. I … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,693 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 14 Another beaut from Cincinnus this week. My top honours go to 12A (ELMER). This may be a perfect clue: ELMER is precisely in the … Read more >>
Independent,7,677/Crosophile
There’s a mighty big pair of shoes to fill with Dac only appearing fortnightly, but I thought this was every bit as good as we’ve come to expect on a Wednesday. Nothing hugely … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,702 by Mudd
A pleasant and not too difficult crossword today. Yet another crossword I have solved recently from Mudd/Paul/Punk with references to ‘arses/bottoms/bums’ (17 across). This seems to be becoming something of a signature from him, make of that whatever you will. My … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1177: Problem by Phi
Another puzzle, another preamble that has me wondering ‘What?’ on the first run through. In the end though it all made sense. This was a wonderful puzzle which took a couple of days … Read more >>
Guardian 25,331 – Araucaria
I was surprised to find that I haven’t blogged an Araucaria puzzle for just over six months (since when I have met the man himself for the first time), but this makes up … Read more >>
Independent 7676/Nimrod
Just what one doesn’t want when in a hurry to get the blog done. This took me quite a long time and if it hadn’t been for the Reveal button I’d still be … Read more >>
Financial Times 13701 REDSHANK
First time I’m blogging this setter, and can’t say whether I’ve done his puzzles previously. Slow start, but progressed steadily. He seems to favour &lits, at least in this puzzle, and there are … Read more >>
Guardian 25,330 – Arachne
I do not remember ever blogging this setter and today’s mini-theme of people who need their heads examined left me as cold as if I were reading about 18th-century Russian shipbuilding terminology. However, … Read more >>
Independent 7675 by Radian
Very tough puzzle today from Radian, but I got there in the end, solving time 67 mins. The lower half of the grid I found particularly difficult. Think I have seen Radian associated … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic No 601 by Moley
A Quiptic setter new to me, she hits the entry level spot on, with varied clue types, and nothing too convoluted. Across 4. Large flag for an Egyptian god (6) OSIRIS Charade of … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic No 25,329 by Rufus
I found this easier than some recent Rufuses; not too heavy on the cryptic definitions (which I regard as a plus), but making up for it in the envelope department – if not … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 443 – Home service
Some excellent surface readings in this issue’s crossword. I marked no fewer than 8 as worthy of consideration for top clue, but that honour has to go to Home Sweet Home for the … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1108
Exellent brain exercise as always ACROSS 1 Herbaceous plant showing dark spot? Always one MACLEAYA MACLE AY A macle is a dark spot in a crystal 6 Mordant and reprehensible BASE … Read more >>
Azed 2033 “Give and take”
I can’t remember Azed using this particular combination of devices before, although he may have done so under a different name. So far as the across clues are concerned, it is known as … Read more >>