Independent 7,258 by Mass
A rare weekday outing for Mass, with whom I’m most familiar via the concise crossword that shares a page with Beelzebub in the Independent on Sunday, and a particularly challenging and very thoroughly … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,288 / IO
I’m not quite sure what to say about this one. I found it hard in places and very easy elsewhere. Some answers were obvious from the enumeration and a few took a while … Read more >>
Guardian 24,912 – Auster
There was nothing too difficult in this puzzle from Auster, though I caused myself a little trouble by guessing wrong at 4d (plausibly, I think). Altogether very enjoyable, with a gentle wit showing … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,287 / Neo
This was a quick solve, but with some definite pleasures. Neo has a way of cluing three- and four-part charades with economy and style. Across 1 IDIOTIC I’D (Neo had) I (one) OTIC … Read more >>
Independent 7257/Mordred
Mordred’s crosswords are for some reason unfamiliar to me, but this one contains plenty of very nice clues, one or two of which I found difficult. There must be some sort of a Nina here, with the … Read more >>
Guardian 24911 – Boatman
A most enjoyable puzzle very cleverly and creatively crafted after a fashion. I like the way Boatman managed to use the themed phrase in so many different ways and as various devices. Good … Read more >>
Independent 7256 by Math
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism An excellent offering from Math with some great clues. I particularly liked 12 across and the 4/13 combination was very amusing. The NINA, which … Read more >>
Guardian 24,910 / Rufus
There’s vintage Rufus here – some beautifully smooth surfaces and clever anagrams – with some easy charades thrown in for good measure. Across 1 SLAUGHTER: S[hake] + LAUGHTER 6 EMMA: the familiar crossword … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 408 – Oiks, obviously
I lost track of the weeks. I knew we would have an extra week over Xmas, but then by this Friday I realised I should’ve had a Private Eye by now. Assuming it … Read more >>
Azed 1963
I found this a pretty tough Azed, making little progress in my initial cocky “no Chambers for me” mode, and requiring two solving sessions rather than one. Overall time was over an hour, … Read more >>
Everyman 3302
I rather enjoyed this one. No particularly obscure words and a couple of nice cryptic definitions as part of more precise clues which raised smiles. Also generally the surfaces seemed to read better … Read more >>
Guardian 24,903 (Sat 9 Jan)/Paul – Kinky and quirky
Solving time: 10 mins This was vintage Paul: some amazing anagrams (8ac/7ac, 15ac/22dn, 22ac/23ac), a couple of long reverse charades (13dn, 24dn/3dn) and a classic at 16dn. Music of the Day (16dn): Set … Read more >>
Independent 7249 (Saturday 9 Jan) – Bannsider
I found this puzzle very difficult, and gave up unaided solving after 35 minutes with 6 and 18 remaining – I got 6 from a Chambers hunt, but needed a wildcard search for … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 896 – Three Letters by Loda
A fairly gentle, but enjoyable, start to the EV new year from Loda, though it is a good job that a full copy of ‘The Bridal of Triermain’ is available on-line because, not … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,284 / Viking
[Now that the crossword has been uploaded on the site, removing the placeholder and filling in the analysis.] A fine puzzle from Viking, with intricate wordplay at a few places that needed working … Read more >>