Guardian 24,742 (Brummie)
Not having a lot of time this morning I was happy that this was rather straightforward. A few clues held me back, 17ac in particular. Also not entirely sure about 22ac. Across 9 … Read more >>
Inquisitor 130 – CINEMA CLASH by Lato
When I see the word ‘Cinema’ in a crossword title I tend to go Ugh! as I am not film literate. However, as is often the case with barred cryptics, the title turned … Read more >>
Independent 7082 by Punk (Sat 27 June)
This puzzle was difficult but entertaining, with themewords at three evels – 23D GOON, the three Goons. at 13, 19, 16D, and characters associated with them at 15, 6 & 2, and 16A … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,118/Viking
I found this a well-balanced and consistent puzzle. Nothing too clever-clever, but plenty of decent clues that seemed more admirable on review (compared to at the moment of solving). If this has been … Read more >>
Independent 7,086 by Phi
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. A surprise Thursday Phi, not that I’m complaining, and it seems that many happy returns may be in order, given the Nina across the first … Read more >>
Guardian 24741 / Paul
This was quite a tough puzzle to blog, with lots of intricate wordplay. However, as always with Paul’s excellent puzzles, this was very enteratining and inventive. I’m not quite sure about 2 down, … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1011 by Quixote (28 June 2009)
Solving time, 15 mins, so fairly easy. * = anagram ACROSS 1/12 CALL OF THE WILD Book by the American writer Jack London 4 CU TS OUT Cu = Copper (stout)* 9 ROUGH-HEWN … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,109 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword on 22 June 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,108 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 20 A fairly run-of-the-mill puzzle from Cincinnus this week. I especially liked 9A. Across 1. METHUSELAH – double definition 6. ABUT – A (an) + … Read more >>
Independent 7085/Dac
The usual high-class Dac puzzle, with as always a succession of natural and deceptively simple surfaces. Across 1 SNOWDRIFTS — (winds frost)* — frost? I suppose in the sense that snow itself is caused by a … Read more >>
Guardian 24,740 – Brendan
I’d like to dedicate this blog to the beginners who sometimes comment about their dismay at how easy us bloggers say certain puzzles are. This one is, on paper, not too bad but … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,117 / Cinephile
Not a good start to the second half of the year for me as there are two clues I’m unable to parse (9a & 12a). I also think one of the clues is … Read more >>
Independent 7084 by Virgilius
An incredible puzzle – absolutely brilliant. In line with 14 across EVERY across solution had the name of a tree within the word as an internal part. The clues are, as always from … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,116 / Courtier
I don’t recognise the setter’s pseudonym so it is either a new contributor or a rebranding of an existing one for the purpose of this tennis related puzzle. Nothing particularly difficult today though … Read more >>
Guardian 24,739 – Araucaria
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram What a delightful offering from The Master … Read more >>