Beelzebub

Perhaps a medium-paced week for Beelzebub, so not the easiest of puzzles by any means. Still, with a bit of persistence, I managed all but a couple of answers without resorting to aids. … Read more >>

Straightforward puzzle this week with some smashing, previously unknown words – 5a, 30a and 1d in particular   ACROSS 5 Old miser fine during botched stick-up    PUCKFIST    (F STICK UP)* 10 … Read more >>

An over-long pause between solving and blogging means that little of the solving experience remains in my memory. However, everything seems very clear and explicable. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. … Read more >>

7 across was a cerebral stretch …. and 19 across not in Chambers …  splendid clueing   ACROSS 1 Sky cataloguer reduced 40 per cent of stars – most out of order MESSIEST  … Read more >>

A very challenging week, though typically not short on quality from Beelzebub. 15ac is this week’s challenge for readers to explain. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Across 1 ASCLEPIAD – … Read more >>

A smooth and enjoyable ride this week   dd = double definition      ( )* = anagram      { } = omit      < = reverse   ACROSS 1 Start … Read more >>

A very tough week for me. It wasn’t long before I hit the books. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Across 1 RENVERSEMENT – (VERSE + MEN) in RENT. 10 EXUL … Read more >>

As usual rich vocabulary and diverse clue styles… love the original word in 23d … grrrr   ( )* = anagram       { }  =  omitted      < = reversed … Read more >>

A satisfying Sunday puzzle as always. With a bit of patience I managed all but one entry (4dn) before reaching for help. I think I’ve explained everything this week, but do ask if … Read more >>

Pretty smooth run this week   ACROSS 1 Support given to cut in board game gets opposing current BACKDRAUGHT      BACK + DRAUGHT{S} 10 Commotion – flight has one falling out STIR  … Read more >>

A top quality puzzle of medium difficulty this week, I found. Just one question from me at 10dn, which is a shame because I’ve a feeling it’s the best clue here. *=anag, []=dropped, … Read more >>

ACROSS 1 Most of peers into suppressing attitude that’s plain PRAIRIE     AIR in PRIE{S} 7 Article not seen in best funerary venture CREM      CRE{A}M 11 Continues to study, skipping … Read more >>

A rare occasion where I can explain every clue, I think. Not to suggest that this was easy, rather it was classic Beelzebub, I thought. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. … Read more >>

Could not have got poet at 23a without recourse to google. Indian word in 3d is spelt differently in Chambers. 8d was a very hard nut to crack.   ACROSS 4  Bard’s not … Read more >>

A solve of two halves for me this week, comprised of a first session where I made very slow progress and solved only a handful, followed a few days later by a second … Read more >>