Independent 7,329 by Virgilius
Another themed puzzle from Virgilius. There didn’t seem to be anything too difficult here, especially as the theme was very clearly signposted in 15ac. I did, however, learn about a couple of previously … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,358 / Jason
There was a bit of a theme here with words for various kinds of frivolity. However, I’m afraid this puzzle was not as much of a “lark” or a “hoot” as it might … Read more >>
Guardian 24983 – Gordius
Quite a heavy-going and stodgy offering from Gordius with some strange words and weird constructions; some which escaped me. The one shining and lustrous pearl of the morning was that superb cryptic definition, … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,050 (04/04/10)
A mixed one for me, initially thinking I’d be done in record time, but eventually almost failing to finish at all. 5dn is yet to be explained. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, … Read more >>
Independent 7328 by Mordred
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism A solid rather than spectacular puzzle which I finished fairly quickly, although there were a couple that lost me completely and some others I … Read more >>
Guardian 24,982 / Rufus
I found this more straightforward than last week’s Rufus but, I thought, rather lacking in the expected sparkle. There are the usual fine surfaces but some rather tired wordplay, including AD = notice … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 414 – Feudal Utopia
I didn’t know much about Sir Thomas More’s Utopia beyond its fame, but after finding a link for 21D and reading around I realise what a big deal this was. Utopia from the … Read more >>
AZED No. 1,975 Plain Competition Puzzle
Nick: Fairly difficult AZED this week, due to a competition puzzle, I suppose, but great to solve. 30ac and 12dn seemed to be very convolute to work out, with 30ac being the ‘gotcha’ … Read more >>
Everyman No 3314 (4th April)
I generally find Everyman puzzles to be on the easy side and this was no exception, though it did provide a gentle warm up in preparation for the Azed and EV. So far … Read more >>
Guardian 24,975 (Sat 1 Apr)/Araucaria bank holiday jumbo – Flower power
Solving time: 65 mins, 4 missing (DUNCIAD, CINERARIA, LEDUM, JONQUIL) This was hard, and time constraints forced me to give up with four gaps although for a long time I thought it would … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.908 – Tightens by Warbler
I am most grateful to Warbler for this delightfully appropriate EV for my debut blog. Not only did it use two of my favourite mechanisms – corrected letters to spell out a message … Read more >>
Independent 7321, Sat 3 April – Merlin
One of those grids that tells you there must be a theme – more black squares round the edge than usual, and a pair of black zigzags in the middle. It took a … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,355 / Falcon
A wide spread of domains covered today – books, film, food, places, famous people. Harder than Falcon’s usual; fine clueing as always. Across 1 BRUTUS BRUT (very dry, used of wine) US. The … Read more >>
Independent 7326/Phi
A typically pleasant Phi offering. Rather a strange grid, which suggests to me that there is some Nina. But as usual I’m asking for help. Actually Phi may just be saving himself work. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,980 – Audreus
It’s been a good while since I last tackled an Audreus. Sped through without too much difficulty. Edits thanks to Brian and Gaufrid Across 8 DINOSAUR (around is)* 9 OPENER double def: “First … Read more >>