A message from Tom Johnson (Doc, Gozo, Maskarade):
This week sees the 50th anniversary of the Spectator crossword.
Inquisitor 1704: Ransomware by Eclogue
Eclogue averages about three Inquisitor puzzles a year of late. Preamble: When read in clue order, the last letters of extraneous words in every clue provide a partial definition and visual context … Read more >>
Independent 10,830 by Radian
It’s Radian again on a Tuesday.
Guardian 28,484 – Vlad
Perhaps not as fearsome as Vlad can be, but no walkover, with the SW corner causing me the most trouble. No theme or Nina that I can see, but I could be missing … Read more >>
Financial Times 16824 Gurney
Thank you to Gurney. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Praise fruit Australia’s imported (8) APPLAUSE : APPLE(a fruit – that keeps the doctor away) containing(…’s imported) AUS(abbrev. for “Australia”). 5. … Read more >>
Independent 10,829 by Skinny
I've not come across this compiler before but, if it's a debut, it's an excellent one.
Financial Times 16,823 by JASON
Jason certainly kept me on my toes with this puzzle this morning.
Guardian Cryptic 28,483 by Fed
A puzzle from a constructor I have never come across before, unless it's someone with a new nickname.
Guardian Quiptic 1,128/Pan
A pleasing and tractable Quiptic from long-time setter Pan. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed definitions are underlined Across … Read more >>
Everyman 3,897
Quite a good crossword from whichever version of Everyman produced this one. I don’t want to be seen as damning it with faint praise, but after the past few weeks, when there has been some criticism of the crossword, this comes as a pleasant surprise. Recent surfaces have been a bit meaningless, but here Everyman seems to be making an effort. There are a few little points which I make in the blog, but on the whole it was all very enjoyable.
Indicators (anagram, hidden, reversal etc) in italics. Anagrams indicated (like this)* or *(this). Definitions in crimson, underlined.
Azed 2558
Azed 2558 – Right and Left Azed effectively gives us two separate crosswords this week. Apart from 1 across, there is no link between the left and right hand sides … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,635 by Tees
A very nice puzzle and in a traditional style. Thank you Tees.
Independent 10,828 by Dalibor (Saturday Puzzle 26 June 2021)
I think this is my fourth Saturday Indy Dalibor blog, spread out over the past couple of years, and the previous three all had Ninas/themes, one of which I failed to spot! Will there be one here?…and if so, will I spot it?…
Guardian ‘Prize’ Crossword 28,476 / Brendan (19 June 2021)
I confidently expected to see a different setter today so it came as somewhat of a surprise when I found out that it was Brendan. However, my anticipated setter did put in an … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28481 Paul
Thank you to Paul. Definitions are underlined in the clues. There appears to be a slight emphasis on food. Across 1. American informed about criminal wrongdoing, it follows (12) WISCONSINITE : WISE(informed/in the … Read more >>