Financial Times 13,050 / Jason
A collection of flowers, three of each kind. Fairly easy, as is normal for a Tuesday FT. I had one question (the definition of CRYOSTAT) and one minor complaint (repeating the use of LORE). Across … Read more >>
Independent 7017 by Morph
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def Some nice clues with one or two I didn’t entirely follow. Across 1 Hazard: Hard around AZ. 5 Banknote: >: Bank + note. Not sure that in … Read more >>
Guardian 24672 / Rufus
As usual, an excellent puzzle from Rufus – there are some particularly satisfying cryptic definitions here. Across 7. FIVE-STAR VESTA in FIR 9. OPENER Double definition 10. PROP PRO = “for” + P[arty] … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 388 – In your end-o
A solid outing in this issue. Nothing to moan about. Nothing to praise to the rafters perhaps but tight clueing leading to certain answers. I solved this quite swiftly (approx. 1 pint) but … Read more >>
Azed 1923/Pinch my tallywhacker!
Did this at work in my copious free time — which wasn’t much so I’ve left a few questions behind. The 12 letter perimeter words were all compound words. Across 1 PINCH,COMMONS – … Read more >>
Beelzebub 998 (05/04/09)
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. I found this tough going this week, and still haven’t managed to explain 12. There’s some splendid clueing in there though, including at least two … Read more >>
Guardian 24,665 (Sat 4 Apr)/Araucaria – Price tags
Solving time: 13:50 This week a mini-theme of prices, of admiralty, liberty and blood, as quoted by various literary sources, as well as several biblical references (e.g. 8/7dn, 18dn, 19dn) possibly giving a … Read more >>
Independent 7015 by Phi
A bit tougher than usual from Phi, maybe because of some words that were unfamiliar to me. But all excellently put together. Solving time, 31 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS … Read more >>
Guardian 24670 / Taupi
A very enjoyable puzzle, with lots of good clues. Across 1. MIDDLE-DISTANCE (TEN MILES CAD DID)* 8. THIEF THE over I + F = “foot”; the definition is “one lifting” 9. BUMBLING “BUM … Read more >>
Independent 7010/Bannsider (Prize puzzle 04-04-09)
We get a puzzle from Bannsider around once a month, and every month that puzzle is never less than bloody marvellous. I’m pleased to say that this month is no exception. Across 1 … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 856: Area of Doubt by Jaques
In this one, clues were of two types: Position clues, where the clues were numbered but required entry cyclically (ie starting anywhere in the entry space), and Momentum clues which were unnumbered but … Read more >>
Inquisitor 118 – Crazy Couple by Poat
We were told that wordplay in twelve clues was deficient by a single letter, the omissions making an arrangement for what the couple failed to provide when it was first demanded. Further, solvers … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,047/Gozo – Piece(s) of Cake?
Probably for some, but today’s theme is certainly not a strong suit for me. I had to resort to online verification for two answers (15/21 and 29A) and outright cheating on another (12A), … Read more >>
Independent 7014/Punk
Like most other people no doubt, I seem to have a full week’s worth of stuff to fit into 4 days this week, so not much time to stop and admire this puzzle … Read more >>
Guardian 24669 – Boatman
Getting 1dn early from a fairly obvious [but incorrect?] anagram made this a bit too easy, which is a pity as there are some nicer clues. A little theme of clues that included … Read more >>