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 >>
Enigmatic Variations 1049: Iris by MynoT
A fairly straightforward puzzle this week by the looks of it. Six extra words to be found in the clues which would give an instruction. I’ve struggled with some of MynoT’s puzzles before, … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 485 – Xmas Special
“So this is Christmas, and what have you done Another year over, a new one just begun” Tell you what we’ve done John, another massive Eye Crossword! As usual there is a giant … Read more >>
Independent 8177 (Sat 29-December 2012) Tees
The gods of the old year brought me another Tees to blog, which is fine by me. I always find Tees’ puzzles a pleasure as his clues always make some kind of sense … Read more >>
Guardian 25,831 / Paul
It’s always nice to have a crossword from Paul to post about, and I nowadays only get that chance when he occasionally gets a prize puzzle slot. We found this a satisfying solve, … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,202 by Falcon
Enjoyable puzzle Across 1 COWSLIP rabbit in Watership Down COW (heifer) SLIP (lose footing) 5 DECAMP leave suddenly D[e]E CAMP (affected) 8 SNODGRASS Thomas Jefferson DONS< (fellow aback) GRASS … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1190
Fiendishly difficult – hidden festive greeting given after the answers ‘Where letters clash, enter both (Across then Down) to get our wish for you’ Across 1 Crazy with rage? … Read more >>
Independent 8182 / Phi
Another great Friday offering from Phi. We always suspect a possible Nina with this sort of grid, especially from Phi, and lo and behold, there it is! (clockwise in the perimeter starting bottom … Read more >>