Beelzebub 1,181
This was an interesting solve. I started off very smoothly indeed, thinking this would be an “easy” week, but ground to a halt about halfway through, and eventually had to adopt a very … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3446 (21st October)
Lorraine: Good morning crossword solvers, I enjoyed this weeks offering tremendously, wizzed through it with no problems. Favourites this week were, 1, 3, 9, 14 and 17ac, 1, 6, 10(first in the grid) and … Read more >>
Azed 2107
As always with Azed, thoroughly sound clues and much wading through Chambers in a chase for words that one has never heard, frequently finding variant spellings and having to wade further still. As … Read more >>
Independent 8118 (Sat 20-Oct-2012) Nimrod
Nimrod has put on his fedora, strapped his bullwhip to his belt, stuffed a revolver in his shirt and gone on an archeological adventure in Chambers. And we had to follow in his … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1040: Two Seventeen Eighteen by Owzat
This puzzle certainly wasn’t a sprint…and I had to stop for a few ‘comfort breaks’ along the way…but it turned out to be a very enjoyable EV, with a quirky/off-the-wall denouement. Six unclued … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 25,772 by Araucaria
Varied and very enjoyable with many great clues but sadly also a few of duds. Thank you Araucaria. Hold the mouse pointer over any clue number to read the clue. Across 1 PICKWICK WICK (lively, … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,145 by Gaff
Cracking topical theme using lots of clever devices Across 1 GEORGE LAZENBY (On HM Secret Service) (Z GENERAL BOGEY)* 8 REINVENTS (makes up again) REIN (controller) VENTS (lets off steam) … Read more >>
Guardian 25,777 – Araucaria
A day for childhood reminiscences… (see end of post for spoiler – for some reason I couldn’t stop it appearing in the preview when I put it here…) … Read more >>
Independent 8123 / Phi
This was an entertaining puzzle from Phi with many clues leading to wordplay constructed from several parts. I particularly enjoyed the clue to HERTFORD COLLEGE which I reckon had six constituent … Read more >>
Independent 8122/Tees
Tees has produced a very good crossword today. Not always particularly easy, but utterly sound so far as I can see, sometimes very clever, and with few points that will elicit controversy. At least that’s … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,144 by BRADMAN
It’s a rather rushed Ringo this morning, so I’m afraid it’s a stripped-down, no-frills blog of this very nice puzzle from the Don. Apologies in advance for any typos. ACROSS 1. MAGISTRACY Magi … Read more >>
Guardian 25,776 – Pasquale
Just wasn’t on the right wavelength today and found this very tough, even after the long 24etc solution went in. Favourite clue was 17ac. Across 1 BED REST &lit BE + DREST=”clothed no … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,135 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Oct 15 A pleasant enough Dante puzzle with some very nice touches (9ac, 16ac and 25ac, to name three), but ….. ….. having said that, I wasn’t happy with two duplications. … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,134 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 13, 2012 Oh my but this was a tricky one! Some clues were flat-out difficult, for me notably 11A (CLASSLESS), 7D (GREBO) and 20D (BRITPOP). … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,143 by Cinephile
Not difficult but very nicely done. Thank you Cinephile. Hold the mouse pointer over any clue number to read the clue. Across 1 CONVEYOR BELT (LOVE BY CORONET)* possibly=anagram 8 INSIDER sounds like “in cider” … Read more >>