Had a slow start, and then it was done very quickly. Still unsure on some parsing. Favourites 25ac and 5dn – thanks to Brummie.
Guardian
Guardian 27,990 – Tramp
A nice mix of clues from Tramp today, with nothing too obscure; perhaps the old jumper may be unfamiliar to younger or non-UK solvers. No theme or Nina that I can see, though … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,989 by Crucible
A themed challenge from Crucible. I would need to check back, but I don't remember blogging a Crucible before (when I do check, I'll probably find I've done quite a few – think … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,988 by Vlad
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27988. I wondered for a time if I would find any entry into this puzzle, but it came together eventually, except that I had not come across … Read more >>
Quiptic 1,045 by Carpathian
Carpathian provides a very good example of how a Quiptic should be. The clues are all elegantly concise, there’s nothing too obscure, and while some solutions are not straightforward they’re all “obvious when … Read more >>
Guardian 27,987 / Vulcan
Vulcan fills the Monday slot again this week. A bit of a mixture – no double definitions today but plenty of cryptic definitions, some better than others, and some neat clues [10ac, 5 … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,980 by Philistine
An interesting mixture of easy and difficult clues for this week’s prize puzzle.
Guardian 27,985 / Enigmatist
It’s a couple of years since I blogged an Enigmatist puzzle – always a challenge but I think his puzzles have become [even] more difficult recently [and I know I’m not the only … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,984 by Nutmeg
A slow solve and tricky to parse – I really liked some of the misdirection in the surfaces. Favourites were 12ac, 14ac, 17ac, 30ac, and 27ac. Thanks to Nutmeg
Guardian 27,983 – Imogen
Quite a tricky one from Imogen today, with a few words that may be unfamiliar to some, but also some easier clues to get things started. Thanks to Imogen. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,982 by Pasquale
HAY, what do I know? The commenters on the Guardian website seemed to like this puzzle, but I found it a bit of a slog. Perhaps it was too early in the morning … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,044/Hectence
Always a spring in my step on Monday blogging mornings when I see that it’s Hectence bringing us the Quiptic. Another tractable and enjoyable puzzle with a good range of devices that I’ll … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,981 by Pan
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27981. Pan asks from us rather more in parsing, vocabulary and general knowledge than we are used to of a Monday, but the result is none the … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,974 by Paul
I found this entertaining but tricky, a pleasure rather than a slog. The solutions are not hard to understand, just difficult to spot. Exactly how it should be I think. Thank you Paul. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,979 by Paul
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27979. Strangely enough, I often find Paul’s weekday Guardian puzzles harder that his Prizes, and this was no exception. There was plenty of cunning misdirection, and on … Read more >>