Guardian 24311/Quantum
Too many cryptic definitions for my taste. The answers I’ve not blogged are probably CDs. Quantum’s best clues here are the short simple clues rather than the CDs. * = anagram < = … Read more >>
Colin Blackburn
Guardian 24304/Gordius
For me this is a mixed bag from Gordius. There are some fine clues in here an a few I’m not so convinced about. There was a slightly fatty feel to the puzzle. … Read more >>
Azed 1861 — mind your language
I don’t know my solving time so I’ll break with the tradition of the last few blogs. I often solve puzzles piecemeal, here and there, and interspersed with bits of Listener solving, daily … Read more >>
Inquisitor 56 THREESOMES by Lato
It’s always difficult starting a puzzle with several different clues types. Here we had extra words in eight clues, misprints in six and no definition in two. That still leaves plenty of normal … Read more >>
Guardian 24297/Brendan
An absolutely superb Brendan. Many of the clues were outstanding, in fact the weaker ones were the thematic clues. The theme was a rambling one connecting John DONNE (10) and Ernest HEMINGWAY (14) … Read more >>
Guardian 24290/Rufus
Classic Rufus, lots of cryptic defnitions! There were a couple of tough ones in here for me, exposing my lack of knowledge of literature and opera. Across 9 ACTON BELL — ACT ON … Read more >>
Everyman 3198
Across 4 EGGPLANT — E.G. + G + PLAN + (allotmen)T 10 EXCHEQUER — “ex checker” 11 ORIBI — (I BIRO)< — the oribi is one of a number of regular crossword antelopes. … Read more >>
Guardian 24288/Brendan
The grid pattern and setter meant a theme was there somewhere. It took a while for it to work out but in the end it’s spelled out across the middle of the grid. … Read more >>
Everyman 3197
The last Everyman blog was back in August. As with some of the other weekend competition puzzles the feedback was low and bloggers wanted to concentrate their efforts on the daily puzzles or … Read more >>
Independent 6626/Phi
I raced through this puzzle much more quickly than usual for Phi. Then I hit the buffers with 11 and 13. I’m sure I’m missing something very simple. Across 1 RHODES SCHOLAR — … Read more >>
Inquisitor 52/Noel by Schadenfreude
This looked like it was going to be a tough puzzle but the theme dropped out quickly and helped me to fill in most of the answers. Initially I considered that Noel might … Read more >>
Independent 6619/Mordred
This was terrible puzzle for me. The answers I have blogged are they only ones I have managed to get before deciding to submit the blog. Discussion of the missing answers will be … Read more >>
Independent 6614/Dac
Considering some of the tough and thematic puzzles this week this was a nice easy end to the week with no themes or hidden messages (famous last words!) It was the usual high … Read more >>
Independent 6606/Virgilius
Excellent puzzle as per. Any theme is lost on me although the grid suggests one. Across 9 IMMORAL — MM in I+ORAL — good surface though exam is often a giveaway. 11 CAPRICE … Read more >>
Independent 6600/Virgilius — The Man Killers
Another highly thematic puzzle from Virgilius. In this case all the down answers can be seen as dangerous women. Corrections and clarifications are in italics. Across 9 AZORES — “as oars” 14 ENAMEL … Read more >>