Financial Times 13,704 / Sleuth
Half of the answers went in very quickly during my first pass through the clues, the other half took somewhat longer due to some intricate wordplay in places. I am unable to fully … Read more >>
Guardian 25,332 / Philistine
Philistine hasn’t yet got a profile on the Guardian website, let alone made it to Michael Curl’s ‘Who’s Who’, so I think we can take it that s/he is a new setter. This … Read more >>
Financial Times no. 13,703 by Flimsy
Enjoyable one, this, though not too challenging. If I were feeling crotchety, I’d say that a couple of the devices were a little hackneyed – but happily I’m not (today, at least), so … Read more >>
Independent 7,678 / Klingsor
For me, this puzzle was pitched at exactly the right level, offering me a manageable challenge and plenty of entertainment to start the day, as well as broadening my general knowledge – many … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,694 / Dante
Monday Prize Crossword from May 16 Apologies for the late posting. Unusually for Dante, I thought the best clues here were some of the anagrams, e.g. 19 across, rather than the cd’s. I … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,693 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 14 Another beaut from Cincinnus this week. My top honours go to 12A (ELMER). This may be a perfect clue: ELMER is precisely in the … Read more >>
Independent,7,677/Crosophile
There’s a mighty big pair of shoes to fill with Dac only appearing fortnightly, but I thought this was every bit as good as we’ve come to expect on a Wednesday. Nothing hugely … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,702 by Mudd
A pleasant and not too difficult crossword today. Yet another crossword I have solved recently from Mudd/Paul/Punk with references to ‘arses/bottoms/bums’ (17 across). This seems to be becoming something of a signature from him, make of that whatever you will. My … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1177: Problem by Phi
Another puzzle, another preamble that has me wondering ‘What?’ on the first run through. In the end though it all made sense. This was a wonderful puzzle which took a couple of days … Read more >>
Guardian 25,331 – Araucaria
I was surprised to find that I haven’t blogged an Araucaria puzzle for just over six months (since when I have met the man himself for the first time), but this makes up … Read more >>
Independent 7676/Nimrod
Just what one doesn’t want when in a hurry to get the blog done. This took me quite a long time and if it hadn’t been for the Reveal button I’d still be … Read more >>
Financial Times 13701 REDSHANK
First time I’m blogging this setter, and can’t say whether I’ve done his puzzles previously. Slow start, but progressed steadily. He seems to favour &lits, at least in this puzzle, and there are … Read more >>
Guardian 25,330 – Arachne
I do not remember ever blogging this setter and today’s mini-theme of people who need their heads examined left me as cold as if I were reading about 18th-century Russian shipbuilding terminology. However, … Read more >>
Independent 7675 by Radian
Very tough puzzle today from Radian, but I got there in the end, solving time 67 mins. The lower half of the grid I found particularly difficult. Think I have seen Radian associated … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic No 601 by Moley
A Quiptic setter new to me, she hits the entry level spot on, with varied clue types, and nothing too convoluted. Across 4. Large flag for an Egyptian god (6) OSIRIS Charade of … Read more >>