FT

I found this quite easy to solve yet very satisfying in the process.  Loads of variety and interest and fresh ideas, how does he keep it up?  I am continually astonished at Cinephile/Araucaria’s output. … Read more >>

In the last Crux I blogged I made the comment that there were some very nice surfaces.  The same comment applies today.  Thanks to Crux.  Definitions are underlined in the clues. [[The pictures … Read more >>

Welcome offering from new-to-me compiler         Across 1 SONGBOOK collection of musical scores SON (relative) G[oal] BOOK (reserve) 5 OCTAVO book size (OV[er]COAT)* 10 WHEELIE bike move ELI (priest) in … Read more >>

Much to enjoy in this offering from Orense. Nothing too challenging, so a fairly quick solve, but a fun one, too. Yes, there’s a theme, which as regular readers (Sid and Doris Bonkers) … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Apr 1 This Dante crossword was published on the 1st of April but lacked any topical clues. No references to the day, instead a lot of anagrams and the usual smoothness typical … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 30, 2013 I think the puzzle is a mixed bag. The fairly obvious theme made many of the clues easy but there are four answers … Read more >>

It makes a change to know in advance that I am going to cover a particular puzzle, rather than having to write a post at the last minute, and this is a temporary … Read more >>

I’ve always enjoyed Phssthpok’s puzzles, but I enjoyed this one a bit less.  I think it was partly due to the iffy/fuzzy definitions/synonyms.  I still managed to finish it, though.  So thanks to … Read more >>

Highly recommended         Across 1 MACAWS birds CAM< (river winding round) (WAS)* 4 CRABMEAT food (BAR CAME)* T (time) 9 NANTES French port SET NAN< (determined grandma back) 10 STALLION … Read more >>

My apologies for the late appearance of this post. I didn’t realise until about 3pm that the scheduled blogger hadn’t turned up. Fortunately this was a very quick solve (it took much longer … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Mar 25 Enjoyable crossword by Falcon which, for some reason, I found slightly harder than usual. Good variety of devices (but no cryptic definitions!) and – as always – care for the surface, … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 23, 2013 While this puzzle has a couple of excellent clues, I think it also has a couple of slightly weak ones. My favourites are … Read more >>

A really tough puzzle from Monk, as hard as you will find in any of the UK daily papers.  I got there in the end. Many thanks Monk for yet another super mental workout.  … Read more >>

Another enjoyable offering from Jason; thanks to him.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have inidentified links to the puzzle.]] Across 1 Drink in guide finally is looking … Read more >>

I was hoping for something easy and breezy to see me off on my Easter hols, so my heart sank when I saw that Gozo was treating us to a themed puzzle – … Read more >>