Hoskins hasn’t yet really decided how difficult he wants to be: some of his offerings, as in The Sunday Times, and also here, take (me at any rate) a very long time, while others are comparatively gentle. But that is no criticism: there were many good clues here, with convincing and misleading surfaces.
Month: November 2017
Financial Times 15,713 by AARDVARK
This kept me thinking hard all the way through to the end. Thanks Aardvark.
Guardian Cryptic 27,361 by Picaroon
The puzzle can be solved online here.
Inquisitor 1516: One in Pieces by eXtent
eXtent makes a welcome return. Preamble: Each grid contains two unclued entries identifying a theme (6,8); the fifth unclued entry indicates a thematic relationship. Eight clues lack definitions; their answers are thematic … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,712 by JASON
Mostly a steady romp but with some moments of class and a coupla head-scratchers.
Independent 9706 / Radian
An enjoyable challenge for a Tuesday from Radian this week. Regulars will be aware that Tuesdays are often ‘Theme Day’ and this was no exception. We were looking for a nina … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,360 by Philistine
The puzzle may be foun at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27360.
Guardian Quiptic 940/Orlando
I’m always pleased to see Orlando’s name when I open up a Quiptic. We haven’t seen much of him recently, but here he has given us a delightful puzzle to start the cryptic … Read more >>
Guardian 27,359 / Rufus
Another Monday medley of double and cryptic [one or two not very] definitions and some neat anagrams from Rufus, all with lovely smooth surfaces, as usual. Thanks to him for the characteristically genial … Read more >>
Independent 9,705 by Crosophile
Crosophile in the Monday “easy” slot, how did you do?
Comment Preview
I have removed the WordPress plugin that has been providing the Comment Preview option because it is very old, no longer supported and it doesn’t comply with current standards. The plugin has never fully … Read more >>
Everyman 3,709
Sorry the blog is a bit late this morning, been a busy week.
AZED 2,370
Fairly straightforward Azed with perhaps a little over-reliance on archaic terms.
Independent 1,447 by Hoskins
Second Sunday on the trot for Hoskins. I’ve got no problem with that, very enjoyable puzzles they are. Thank you Hoskins.
Independent 9704 by Maize (Sat 18-Nov 2017)
First time I’ve blogged a Maize puzzle, and it was a bit of a treat … … except if you’ve ever visited a Disney world and have that earworm lodged in your brain, … Read more >>