Guardian Quiptic

Anto provides a slightly tricky Quiptic today. There are a couple of loose definitions, and some references that may be unfamiliar to non-Brits – I’ve tried to cover these in the notes. I’m … Read more >>

A carefully constructed Quiptic from Carpathian this morning, which I think will provide an entertaining challenge for newer solvers. A fine example of the art of a setter losing gracefully.       … Read more >>

Thanks to Hectence for a nicely tuned Quiptic. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Very fine biscuit with no excess fat (5-4) WAFER-THIN : WAFER(a thin crispy biscuit) + THIN(with no … Read more >>

As always, I enjoyed solving and blogging this offering from Matilda. One or two devices that newer solvers might have been unfamiliar with, but learning new stuff is part of the enjoyment, no? … Read more >>

An excellent Quiptic as always by Carpathian. This puzzle is full of surfaces that immediately conjure up a mental image, which of course is there to mislead the solver: “police got a criminal” … Read more >>

As always, a delightful Quiptic from Pan. Plenty of devices for the beginner to get his or her teeth into, and some smooth surface readings to boot. And if you are a beginner, … Read more >>

Thanks Beale for an enjoyable Quiptic, made easier with the many anagrams. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Nothing fits with information detectives last gave on killing (8) GENOCIDE : O(letter … Read more >>

Hectence is a long-serving Quiptic setter and always produces a puzzle that I want to recommend to beginners. I’m sure some of our newer solvers and contributors will have enjoyed (and, I daresay, … Read more >>

A sound Quiptic from Anto this morning, with some nicely chosen anagrams to ease beginners and those still a little drowsy into the puzzle.       Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double … Read more >>

One of our regular Quiptic setters with another enjoyable (but occasionally tricky) puzzle. Most of the standard clue types are here: simple block constructions, insertions, anagrams, reversals, double definitions, and combinations of these. … Read more >>

Thank you to Carpathian for a nice Quiptic. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Demure love note for wild beast (6) COYOTE : COY(pretending to be shy/outwardly demure) + O(letter representing … Read more >>

As always, a sound and pleasing Quiptic from Pan. I have given full explanations for those still a little mystified by cryptic conventions, but if there is anything that isn’t clear, you only … Read more >>

I don’t think I’ve met Beale before – he/she seems to have returned to the Quiptic slot recently after a break. Nice to meet you! This was perhaps not the easiest of Quiptics … Read more >>

Pasquale doesn’t often compile the Quiptic, but when he does, you know that it will be sound as a pound. This would be a good one to sit down and do with a … Read more >>

Thanks to Hectence.  Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7 Hard-working policeman’s fired, having concealed information (8) DILIGENT :  DI(abbrev. for “Detective Inspector”, a quite senior policeman) + LIT(fired/set on fire) containing(having … Read more >>