Pete Maclean

A mostly easy but excellent puzzle from Falcon with one clue (3D), the wordplay of which I failed to fully fathom. 21A was tricky because while I am familiar with expressions “as easy … Read more >>

Mudd gave me a very satisfying challenge this week. I especially like 13A, 20A, 24A, 6D and 18D. I found 4A tricky; I guessed the answer quickly but took a while to figure … Read more >>

I found this puzzle rather difficult even after catching on to the theme, climate change. I got 18A wrong and did not find the solution to 17D. A few clues that struck me … Read more >>

Ah, my second Falcon puzzle to blog. This proved moderately easy and somehow I even dredged CHOTA PEG (19A) out of the back of my mind. I love 20D and 10D is very … Read more >>

An easy puzzle from Cincinnus with a few typically brilliant clues (1A, 13A, 18A, 5D). Across 1. BEANS ON TOAST – anagram of NOT A SNOBS TEA. And a wonderfully English &lit to … Read more >>

This puzzle has no fewer than three clues that I lack a complete understanding of: 26A, 5D and 21D. My copy of the paper did not include the clue for 23D and I … Read more >>

You know what it’s like when your mind wants an answer to be a particular word and won’t let go in the face of ridiculous amounts of evidence? Well, my mind so thought … Read more >>

Cinephile frequently does themed puzzles and works his themes in many different ways. Here we have the gentlest of themes: three clues that refer to the Dickens novel “The Old Curiosity Shop”. Across … Read more >>

Here’s what I like: a puzzle that is challenging but so good I finished it fairly easily. For all that, I fail to fully understand 7D. Across 1. SPECIMEN – S (small) + … Read more >>

Some snazzy clues here but also one that I could not solve (11D)! Across 1. SO CALLED – anagram of ALL CODES 5. SHAPES – S[tylis]H + APES (copies) 9. HESPERUS – HES … Read more >>

Here is Mudd in fine form. I found 16D difficult and still do not quite see how “go” is clued. Across 1. HARMLESS – ARM (weapon) + L (left) in HESS (Nazi). Great … Read more >>

A moderately tough one as Cincinnus puzzles go but, as usual, very satisfying. I found 4A, 25A and 23D challenging. I fail to fully understand 4A and 2D. And I was charmed by … Read more >>

Here is one of those characteristic Cinephile themed puzzles, this one with a fairly easy theme to spot — chickens. Across 1. CAPONE – CAPON (bird) + E (energy) 4. ASSAILED – ASS … Read more >>

An easier-than-usual Mudd this week. Across 1. SHELLAC – HELL (very hot) in SAC (bag) 5. MINARET – ERA (time) reversed in MINT (perfect) 9. GRUFF – [ribbin]G + RUFF (frill) 10. REPUGNANT … Read more >>

Another beauty from Cincinnus. Don’t you love 27A? Also great are 12A and 26D. Across 1. ABOVE SUSPICION – anagram of OBVIOUS IN SPACE 10. ALGOL – hidden word 11. NARRATION – ARR … Read more >>