Independent 8357 (Sat 27-July 2013) by eXternal
What’s this? A compiler I’ve not seen before in the Prize slot. What’s that! Setting the Inquisitor on the same day! This is probably going to be a tough challenge. I got only … Read more >>
beermagnet
Private Eye / Cyclops 499 – ID
How did I end up on a Sunday night an hour from the usual midnight deadline scrubbling together a blog for a puzzle I solved, and made notes for(!), over a week ago. … Read more >>
Independent 8327 by Anax (Sat 22-Jun-2013)
“This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius … ” When I saw the references to 7 in so many clues I immediately made a special effort to crack it (failed). But … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 497 – Murky custom
As usual Cyclops sprinkles the Grid and clues with a set of politicians of varying murkiness. The long 6-word answer had me stumped at the first sitting. I had started solving the grid … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 495 – My kingdom for a horse
An entertaining puzzle from Cyclops that brightened up a dull Thursday morning commute … … stuck in traffic on the M25 (it never stays stationary quite long enough for a proper snooze). There … Read more >>
Independent 8297 by Monk (Sat 18-05-2013)
Always a pleasure to tackle a Monk puzzle, but I had particular trouble finishing the last few in this puzzle … … especially in the top left corner. 1A and the 1D linked … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 493 – …lightenlightenli…
I smiled at the double-light in column 12 of the grid when it revealed itself. That’s what us crossword fans want isn’t it – a spot of light enlightening. Across 1/13 DAMAGE … Read more >>
Independent 8237 (Sat 13-April 2013) Monk
Here we are with Monk again and a very nice crossword that was fun to solve with the answers falling reasonably regularly, though I slowed to a halt at the last couple. But … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 491 – Pompom tea party
Some particularly fine smutty surface readings to the clues this week. The simple but effective 18A is my favourite. Across 1 POMPOM Member squeezed between balls during Cameron’s fancy ball? (6) MP (member) … Read more >>
Independent 8237 (Sat 9-March 2013) Monk
This puzzle had a enormous range of difficulty. The short clues somehow stood out when I first glanced at the puzzle, and as they were eminently gettable double-defs, oddly enough the top right … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 489 – Ad hoc Sovereign
Similar to the last issue, this crossword was noticeably tougher than the usual difficulty level for the Eye crossword… … and I for one found that all the more enjoyable for it. There … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 487 – Climactic Recession
Don’t know about anyone else but I’m still reeling from the Xmas giant, so this normal sized grid seemed small… … and the level of difficulty not too great – (e.g. compared to … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 485 – Xmas Special
“So this is Christmas, and what have you done Another year over, a new one just begun” Tell you what we’ve done John, another massive Eye Crossword! As usual there is a giant … Read more >>
Independent 8177 (Sat 29-December 2012) Tees
The gods of the old year brought me another Tees to blog, which is fine by me. I always find Tees’ puzzles a pleasure as his clues always make some kind of sense … Read more >>
Independent 8148 (Sat 24-November 2012) Tees
I always like puzzles by Tees and there was plenty to appreciate here: A wide range of clue devices, Offbeat references within suitable surfaces, Cheeky theme. There were a few obscurities that required looking … Read more >>