Guardian 25,840 / Audreus
We don’t see Audreus very often, so it’s always good to see her name on a puzzle. There were several smiles here, which made up for a couple of niggles, with some nice … Read more >>
Independent 8,186 / Dac
Today sees my monthly blogging encounter with Dac, as usual on a Wednesday. Dac never disappoints, pitching his puzzles consistently at the same medium-difficulty level. This puzzle was trickier than the average Dac … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1262: WARM INSIDE by eXternal
A new setter this week – eXternal (not quite sure why the strange capitalisation). Standard rubric with wordplay leading to extra letters which led to a quote and the quoter. We had to … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,191
A pretty stiff challenge this week, with plenty of unfamiliar words. I was grateful for the extended deadline, as it gave a couple more days to complete the puzzle and blog. *=anag, []=dropped, … Read more >>
Independent 8185 / Radian
The first Radian puzzle of 2013 was an entertaining challenge. There were two themes woven into the clues and the entries. Events of 30,50, 60 and 113 years ago mingled … Read more >>
Financial Times 14205 Phssthpok
It is a long time since my last FT blog – first I was off, then the FT was off for Christmas and New Year. Thanks to PeterO and PeeDee for standing in, … Read more >>
Guardian 25,839 – Pasquale
It is always a pleasant task to blog The Don as he is so scrupulously fair in his clueing and usually has a variety of devices to bemuse, amuse and entertain. Across 7 … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 686 / Nutmeg
A good puzzle with a good range of clue types, but perhaps a little tough for a Quiptic. Most of the definitions given are from Chambers 11th Edition. Most of the standard abbreviations … Read more >>
Independent 8184/Quixote
Another pleasing puzzle from our Monday Indy regular. Mostly straightforward, but the last few – including one or two less familiar words – took me a while. And there’s one where you’d most … Read more >>
Guardian 25,838 – Rufus
I guessed I was in for a quick solve on this when I got 1a and 5a, and then 10a and 11a, immediately, and so it proved, with most of the answers virtually … Read more >>
AZED No. 2,117 Plain
Nick: Fairly tough today, 8/10. There is a lot going on in the clues, which I think collectively, shows most of the Azed style. Across 1. Stage laugh, reverse of demure, greeting start of … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3456 (30th December)
Lorraine: Good morning and a happy new year to you all. Wizzed through this, this morning. Nothing to taxing on the brain, although I was stuck on a couple of easy one’s, Doh. I … Read more >>
Genius 114 / Paul
Well, this was an interesting challenge. My initial progress was quite rapid because I concentrated on the clues that were obviously not affected by the special instructions. The first modified entry that I … Read more >>
Azed No 2116 Christmas Devilry
This year Azed’s Christmas puzzle combined an old favourite (although not of all solvers), Printer’s Devilry, for the across clues, with something entirely new for the down clues. These were normal clues made … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1193 Hypnos
Quite a straightforward and enjoyable puzzle, with a touch of the Season included. Thanks to Hypnos. And a Happy New Year (not too late, I think) to all readers, bloggers and setters here. Definitions … Read more >>