Independent 9621/Hoskins
References in clues: drugs 3; sex/body parts 4; booze 4. Hoskins is in town. Another entertaining puzzle from Harry, which I enjoyed solving and blogging. Some interesting devices, which may well have the … Read more >>
Pierre
Independent on Sunday 1433/Poins
A pleasing Sunday puzzle from Poins with very good surface readings as always. A surfeit of insertions and first-letter indicators, perhaps, but that’s a small niggle. There was a request in Another Place … Read more >>
Everyman 3694
Pretty much what I and my fellow Everyman bloggers say every Sunday: a well-constructed puzzle with good surface readings, appropriate for the improving solver. Well done, Everyman, for putting out a consistently good … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 924/Pan
Pan is long-term setter of the Quiptic, and he/she has produced here a well-constructed Quiptic with clear cluing that would perfectly suit improving solvers. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 923/Anto
I had a request to stand in this morning for my fellow blogger, scchua, who is having a well-earned rest. I was happy to agree, but started to have second thoughts when I … Read more >>
Independent 9603/Tees
A quick search suggests that it’s over three years since I had a Tees to blog. I was engaged by this offering, so have gone on a bit. Apologies in advance to folk … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 922/Nutmeg
A fine puzzle to start the cruciverbal week from our favourite spice girl. Meaningful surfaces, clear cluing, good variety of clue types and subject matter, all packaged in a Quiptic framework. Brava, Nutmeg. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1429/Raich
Raich can do hard, but his IoS puzzles are generally accessible, and I at least found this one so. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram … Read more >>
Everyman 3690/2 July
Another very good puzzle in the Everyman style – that is, at the easier end of the cryptic spectrum. It is all clued clearly, so I have given only brief explanations; but if … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 920/Moley
A fine Quiptic from Moley this morning. Just one word I was unfamiliar with. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed … Read more >>
Independent 9585/Hoskins
Ever had the feeling that you’ve been set up? A very pleasing puzzle from Hoskins, typically straightforward in the traditional Indy Monday style. As well as the usual sex, … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 918/Pan
Pan is one of the well-established Quiptic setters and invariably provides us with a good start to the week. He/she has done so here again, although the grid, with lots of clues with … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1425/Daedalus
I found this a bit of a slog, but that could just be me. Daedalus has created a Father’s Day puzzle where every clue has a reference to ‘father’ in it, either … Read more >>
Independent 9567/Vigo
A very pleasing puzzle from Vigo. Good surfaces, well-signposted clues, and a variety of subject matter. Just right to start the new week. And in addition, it’s a pangram. For those … Read more >>
Everyman 3686/4 June
The usual good Sunday stuff from Everyman. Took me a little while to get into this one; then it fell steadily. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram … Read more >>