Very enjoyable, and fairly tough – I got a bit stuck in the top left with an unfamiliar word. Really liked 10ac, 11ac, 2dn and 20dn. Many thanks to Shed.
Financial Times 15,738 by MUDD
The puzzle can be found here.
Independent 9732 / Filbert
Filbert gave me quite a challenge today. Did others find this easier than me? I found this quite hard with everything becoming clear only when I sussed out all the … Read more >>
Independent 9,731 by Hoskins
I was under the impression that Hoskins always gets me as the blogger, but a Search on fifteensquared shows that this is not the case at all: he is a remarkably prolific setter and seems to have been blogged by an assortment of people. In any case, it is always a pleasure to be faced with one of his, because all the clues are sound, some are very good, and one is never left with a feeling that something is missing. My only criticism is of the slight overuse of exclams (as in 28ac and 2dn) but this is really just a matter of taste; however, I would suggest that he looks at what Ximenes had to say on the subject in his book, although no doubt he already knows and I’m missing something.
Definitions underlined, in maroon. I’ve introduced something someone now does in blogging The Times: putting anagram indicators in bold italic. Actually I haven’t, because the font is such that it appears rather large, so I’ve omitted the bold bit.
Financial Times 15,737 by MONK
I found this tricky and for I while I thought I might not even finish. Thanks to Monk for another fine mental workout.
Guardian 27,385 – Brummie
Not too difficult for a Brummie, though there are a couple rather obscure words and a few names that may be unfamiliar, though clearly clued. I can’t explain 6d. As usual with this … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,729 – Armonie
Monday Prize Crossword / Dec 11, 2017
A quick reappearance of Armonie in the Monday prize slot perhaps suggests he’s up for becoming a Monday regular.
Financial Times 15,728 by Rosa Klebb
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 9, 2017
Inquisitor 1520: NOTCH by Encota
I initially thought that this was Encota‘s debut in this series, but I checked and saw that his/her first Inquisitor puzzle was published early last September. Preamble: In 32 clues the wordplay … Read more >>
Financial Times 15736 Sleuth
Thanks to Sleuth for an enjoyable puzzle. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Emigre after surgery gets note for course of treatment (7) REGIMEN : Anagram of(… after surgery) EMIGRE plus(gets) … Read more >>
Independent 9730 / Serpent
A classic Serpent puzzle to liven up a Tuesday – and our second Serpent blog in two weeks! He’s definitely on the money today! We only tumbled to the theme when we … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,384 by Philistine
Today’s Guardian puzzle can be found here.
Financial Times 15,735 – Dante
No prize crossword today but a Farewell to Dante.
Surely a sad day for many crossword lovers.
Independent 9729/Peter
Apologies for the late blog this morning – blame staying up listening to England lose the Ashes and sleeping in. A fine start to the Indy week from Peter. All meticulously clued and … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,383 by Rufus
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27383.