Puzzle/Clue of the Month

Due to the  limited response to the requests for nominations at the end of last month, John Halpern has decided that his time is better spent with other aspects of his Crossword Centenary … Read more >>

Financial Times 14,242 by Monk

A tough and very enjoyable puzzle from Monk, as always. Monk often has ninas or messages hidden around the completed grid.  Given the shape of the grid and the somtimes obscure words I suspect there … Read more >>

Independent 8222/Dac

Sorry this is a bit late, at any rate later than it would have been. The online crossword when I switched on around 9.00 was yesterday’s Tees, so I had to go out … Read more >>

Financial Times 14241 Gurney

Quite a straightforward puzzle, so thanks to setter Gurney (a 15sq. blogger in addition).  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzzle.]] Across 1 We … Read more >>

Guardian 25,875 – Tramp

A most pleasant romp this morning through some fairly challenging clues; some of which with definitions that are as mysterious as the cryptic part of the clues. Tramp has obviously taken great pain … Read more >>

Independent 8220/Quixote

I suspect Quixote might have had a double dose of Weetabix for his breakfast before setting this one.  I found it a good deal more difficult than his usual Monday puzzle. It’s all … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25874 Rufus

A Rufus with, I thought, a more than usual share of anagrams, cds and dds, so it might win even fewer friends.  There are some nice surfaces and misdirections, though.  Thanks Rufus.  Definitions … Read more >>

Beelzebub 1,197

A medium-paced Beelzebub this week, I thought. Not too hard and not too easy, but with plenty to enjoy. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Across 1 DUPE – P[ill] in … Read more >>