Inquisitor

  Queen of the North by Phi Several squares will need to contain multiple letters for the clue answers to fit – solvers should replace these with the same appropriate symbol. The solutions … Read more >>

Definitions in eight clues contain a misprint; correct letters spell a thematic location. Extra letters produced by wordplay in 26 further clues give a thematic quote, made by an individual whose name provides … Read more >>

According to fifteensquared stats, Radler has been producing one Inquisitor puzzle once a year since 2013, usually towards the end of the year.  Here is the 2020 offering.       The  preamble … Read more >>

Chalicea – so the clues are likely to be gentle. The asymmetric grid alone signals a search during the endgame.   Preamble: To depict an aftermath, solvers must highlight nine answers (a total … Read more >>

Double Take by Encota Four unclued thematic entries must be completed. Clue numbers must not be entered initially. Nine clues are common to each pane and must be entered in the same place … Read more >>

A third offering from Hedge-sparrow, a relative newcomer to the illustrious company of Inquisitor setters. The rubric read: One letter per grid row is not indicated by the wordplay of the clues. These … Read more >>

Nimrod is also the editor of the Inquisitor series and tends to set challenging crosswords, so this was always likely to be a difficult solving experience.       The  preamble stated: that … Read more >>

Fifth puzzle from Vismut here. Very short title, gives nothing away. Grid not quite symmetric – middle row.   Preamble: Extra letters generated by the wordplay of 25 clues, not to be entered, … Read more >>

Follow the Leader by Serpent The entry at 24 is to be deduced. Answers to 12 normal clues must be modified before entry. The remaining clues contain an extra letter that must be … Read more >>

The number 1666 for this puzzle was always going to be the most important clue to the subject matter, so let’s dispose of it straight away. It had to be the Great Fire … Read more >>

eXternal is the setter this week.  In fact, eXternal was one of the setting team of eXtent whose puzzle I blogged just 4 weeks ago.  Looking through previous blogs of eXternal’s Inquisitors I … Read more >>

Phi – not seen for a while.   Preamble: Answers to italicised clues are entered in a letter-substitution code. The clue answer is composed of letters in a name, and the entry (also … Read more >>

Equivalency by Eclogue The unclued across and down entries each illustrate one side of an equivalency whose statement and source is provided, in clue order, by superfluous letters generated in wordplay. Solvers must … Read more >>

Wordplay in each clue yields an extra letter not to be entered in the grid. Those from across clues explain the puzzle’s title and source of the theme; solvers must complete the unclued … Read more >>

eXtent returns this week.  I blogged the last puzzle from this setter back in January.  That puzzle also featured some blanks in the grid during the solving process.       The  preamble … Read more >>