Everyman 3320
True vintage Everyman this week, in my opinion. Not a single word in the solution that required me to check its definition or an obscure place name to stop me in my tracks. … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,056 (16/05/2010)
I found this to be an average week, in terms of difficulty. There remain one or two details that elude me for the time being. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 914: Opus by Hypnos
This is the sixth Enigmatic Variations puzzle by Hypnos since the EV blog started at fifteensquared about 18 months ago, and I’ve done four of them! They are usually good fun, so I … Read more >>
Guardian 25,011 (Sat 15 May)/Brummie – Comic relief
Solving time: 10 mins This was a very cleverly worked theme which took some thought to see, even with only one thematic answer (20ac) unsolved. The nine relevant answers are all surnames of … Read more >>
Guardian 25,016 / Paul
When I agreed to stand in for Eileen today I was hoping for something pleasurable to cover and I have not been disappointed. I found this a little easier than some of Paul’s … Read more >>
Independent 7,362 by Phi
A very throughly themed puzzle for us today, based around characters in the works of 5ac. My own knowledge here is deeply lacking, which was a significant obstacle, though a good number are … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,391 / Viking
This was a pleasure to solve. Impeccable clues, creative and challenging without being insurmountable. It took me the longest time to see 4D, but got there in the end. Across 1 BILL OF … Read more >>
Independent 7357 (Saturday Prize Puzzle) by Bannsider
The last Bannsider puzzle I blogged had a theme based on the rock group Kasabian. I’ve looked at diagonals and unches, and I can’t see any obvious theme in this puzzle, but I … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,390/Sleuth
Much like 1A, this puzzle had a solid enough core but lacked that extra flair and creativity to put it in the running for any major accolades. Across 1 LIVERPOOL – (role old VIP)*- … Read more >>
Independent 7,361/Nimrod
Seems to have been a while since I blogged a Nimrod, but I always find his puzzles a good, fun challenge. I was glad of the mini Iron Man theme and some long … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1057 by Quixote 16th May 2010
We completed this crossword in a most pleasant way – in bed with a cup of tea during a rare weekend at home, before a pub lunch. Its gentle wit was much appreciated, … Read more >>
Guardian 25,015 – Brendan
Another cleverly-themed puzzle from Brendan, with a lot of very nice clues. I particularly liked the misleading definitions in 7 and 8 dn. I can’t fully explain 12ac – suggestion welcome. … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,381 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 10 May 2010 A gentle start to the FT week is always guaranteed by the Monday prize crossword. Very fair. ACROSS 1 MAISONETTE *(no estimate) 7 CODE C (circa … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,380 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 8 My favourite clues in this puzzle are 9A (WENDY), 25A (BOW STREET) and 16D (WORKMATES). Across 1. SOMEHOW – anagram of HOME in SOW … Read more >>
Independent 7360/Dac
As usual, an immaculate little crossword from Dac, with elegant well-constructed clues. The explanation of one of the answers defeats me, but it will almost certainly be immediately made clear. (As I did … Read more >>