Philistine has been in the Guardian stable for a little over a year now, but I still made a slow start to this puzzle, trying to get on his wavelength. The effort was well worth it; I found it a fine crossword with plenty of well-camouflaged ingenuity.
Month: October 2012
Inquisitor 1248: Second, Third and Fourth by Nudd
A gentle but enjoyable puzzle – with a learning element. Four consecutive letters to be removed from 24 clues before solving {novel}, the first letters of each group giving a Father’s {note capital} … Read more >>
Independent 8102 / Radian
We found this trickier than the average Radian, with what initially appeared to be a straightforward theme (see 22A, 17D, 18D, 21D and 23D). As we worked our way through the puzzle we … Read more >>
Financial Times 14124 Neo
Occasionally, Neo lets us off the hook, with an easier than usual puzzle. No complaints, though, and there were clues with excellent surfaces today. Thanks to Neo. Definitions are underlined in the clues. [[The … Read more >>
Guardian 25,756 – Arachne
It is always a delight and pleasure to unveil the Spider Woman. Today, she was in her elements with many creative devices to entertain and bemuse. Thank you, Ms Hayes for a most … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 672/Pan
Generally a sound puzzle from Pan, but with one or two slightly unusual words. To be fair, these were well signposted. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 25755 Rufus
Another Monday Rufus. Not one for the more advanced (though 27 did hold me up, why I now can’t see). Thanks to Rufus, for the compact and smooth cluing. Definitions are underlined in the clues. … Read more >>
Independent 8101 by Quixote
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism A fairly standard outing from Quixote, mostly on the easy side, although the parsing of one of the clues (2 down) completely defeats me. … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 478 – Rodent sandwich
An enjoyable solve. Although more than half fell in the first pass, the rest needed deconstruction of some interesting wordplay. Solving and blogging this took place at a time when there was a … Read more >>