Guardian Quiptic 740/Hectence
I never really time myself when I’m doing a puzzle, but this Quiptic seemed to take a long time to nail down, which might mean it was trickier than it should have been. … Read more >>
Pierre
Independent 8501/Quixote
The gaffer’s called me off the bench this morning to replace flashling, who’s recovering from an eye operation he underwent this weekend. So first things first – a speedy recovery to him. And … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1246/Poins
People are going to be talking about me and Poins soon. Seems like every time he has a slot in the IoS, it’s my turn to blog. But there’s nothing going on between … Read more >>
Independent 8489/Quixote
I’ve had an exciting morning so far … Don’t know if others have had the same difficulty, but the Indy crossword didn’t want to come out to play on Crossword Solver this morning. … Read more >>
Everyman 3507/December 22
A seasonal offering from Everyman. As always, a pleasure to solve and blog. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 736/Beale
We don’t see Beale Quiptics very often. This struck me as a sound puzzle, but there were one or two where it took me some time to see the parsing. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1242/Poins
Poins must be getting fed up with landing me as the blogger for his Sunday puzzles. We seem to have been bumping into each other a lot recently. But I don’t mind at … Read more >>
Independent 8472/eXternal
My first time blogging a puzzle from eXternal. Tricky in places is the executive summary here, I think. Some inventive cluing; just one or two I didn’t like that much. Overall a very … Read more >>
Everyman 3503/November 24
Another good’un – as always – from Everyman, containing just one phrase with which I was unfamiliar. And a small typo in one of the clues. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 732/Hectence
I am a bit late on parade this morning, partly because I found bits of this quite tricky. There were certainly a good number of genuinely Quiptic clues to get you going, but … Read more >>
Independent 8454/Quixote
Another sound and accessible Monday puzzle from Quixote. A good mixture of clue types, with everything clearly indicated, even for the less common words. I know that the Monday Indy puzzle is popular … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1238/Poins
An enjoyable and largely accessible IoS puzzle from Poins. His cluing style can border on the intricate, but there’s nothing wrong with that as long as everything is clearly signposted, as it is … Read more >>
Everyman 3500/3 November
A special edition puzzle from Everyman this week. Lorraine wasn’t able to blog this one, so you’ll have to put up with me two weeks running. I’m happy to help, especially since … Read more >>
Everyman 3499/27 October
Another well-constructed, accessible puzzle from Everyman. A couple of clue types that this setter doesn’t often use in today’s offering. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 728/Beale
Oh dear. I’m in danger of turning into Mr Grump. This is the second puzzle I’ve blogged this morning that I haven’t liked much. I’m a big fan of the Quiptic and keep … Read more >>