Financial Times 13,289 / Mudd

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Good stuff, as usual, from Mudd; including some decent treatment of rather mundane words or devices. I also liked the grid design, which allowed for a nice balance of checking patterns. I don’t … Read more >>

Independent 7259 by Nestor

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Very inventive and satisfying puzzle from Nestor, quite hard, solving time 45 mins. * = anagram   < = reversed ACROSS 1 A  NDROMEDA GALAXY    (Gary Oldman  axed)* 10 LEANEST     “Art showing tendency that’s … Read more >>

Guardian (24,913), Paul

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Very enjoyable puzzle with a cleverly clued theme. Very Paul, very good. Across 8 CINERAMA: anagram of AMERICAN 9 ANODES: O (nothing) in ANDES (range) 11 LINSEED OIL: anagram of DEONISE in LL … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,280 – Dante

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Monday Prize Crossword on 11 January 2010 Back to Dante for another not-so-taxing week-opener with some delightful cryptic definitions and double definitions. However, I suspect Dante may have got his mythologies mixed up … Read more >>

Guardian 24,912 – Auster

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There was nothing too difficult in this puzzle from Auster, though I caused myself a little trouble by guessing wrong at 4d (plausibly, I think). Altogether very enjoyable, with a gentle wit showing … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,287 / Neo

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This was a quick solve, but with some definite pleasures. Neo has a way of cluing three- and four-part charades with economy and style. Across 1 IDIOTIC I’D (Neo had) I (one) OTIC … Read more >>

Independent 7257/Mordred

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Mordred’s crosswords are for some reason unfamiliar to me, but this one contains plenty of very nice clues, one or two of which I found difficult.  There must be some sort of a Nina here, with the … Read more >>

Guardian 24911 – Boatman

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A most enjoyable puzzle very cleverly and creatively crafted after a fashion. I like the way Boatman managed to use the themed phrase in so many different ways and as various devices. Good … Read more >>

Independent 7256 by Math

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*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism An excellent offering from Math with some great clues. I particularly liked 12 across and the 4/13 combination was very amusing. The NINA, which … Read more >>

Guardian 24,910 / Rufus

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There’s vintage Rufus here – some beautifully smooth surfaces and clever anagrams – with some easy charades thrown in for good measure. Across 1 SLAUGHTER: S[hake] + LAUGHTER 6  EMMA: the familiar crossword … Read more >>