Beelzebub 999 (12/04/09)

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. This was a very enjoyable puzzle indeed. The bank holiday weekend and an auspicious puzzle number seem to have contributed to something of a change … Read more >>

Independent 7,019 by Dac

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Wednesdays have become distinctly tougher this year. Several unfamiliar terms and some challenging clueing meant that this one really put up a fight. I’m not … Read more >>

Beelzebub 998 (05/04/09)

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. I found this tough going this week, and still haven’t managed to explain 12. There’s some splendid clueing in there though, including at least two … Read more >>

Independent 7,012 by Virgilius

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Interesting puzzle. The across clues present us with various ways of stating the obvious, whilst the many, very short, down clues seem to just fill … Read more >>

Beelzebub 997 (29/03/09)

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. A day later than usual on account of a ridiculously busy week at work. I may move these posts to Saturday anyway though, as it … Read more >>

Independent 7,008 by Eimi

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. This crossword was pants! Not really – it was excellent of course, but it did take “underwear” as its theme (see 3ac). Entertaining stuff, with … Read more >>

Beelzebub 996 (22/03/09)

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. A typically excellent Beelzebub, with some especially nice surface readings. I’ve managed to explain them all this week, which may actually be a first! Across … Read more >>

Beelzebub 995 (15/03/09)

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. This was one of my favourite Beelzebubs since I started blogging them here. It was as satisfying as ever, with lots of exciting new words, … Read more >>

Independent 6,997 by Phi

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. What a week for us Independent solvers. I’m a little relieved to have drawn the Friday, all things considered. That said, I felt the pressure, … Read more >>

Beelzebub 994 (08/03/09)

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. I actually managed to finish this on the Sunday, which is something of a rarity for me. Still, it was a very pleasant way to … Read more >>

Beelzebub 993 (01/03/09)

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. A very good puzzle, once again. This took a little longer than usual to complete – and even longer to explain my answers – but … Read more >>