Never knowingly undersolved
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. This was one of my favourite Beelzebubs since I started blogging them here. It was as satisfying as ever, with lots of exciting new words, … Read more >>
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. What a week for us Independent solvers. I’m a little relieved to have drawn the Friday, all things considered. That said, I felt the pressure, … Read more >>
Across 7/25/4 NINE TILL FIVE – “when on duty” is the def, and “Norma Bolton” is a reference to the clue numbers of those answers – 9d and 5d respectively. 8 (I FOUND … Read more >>
Clues were given in alphabetical order and had to be entered where they would fit in the grid. When arranged in convetional order the initial letters would give instructions, and you then had … Read more >>
Solving time: about 2 hours, with reference help This puzzle presented thematic material in a novel way in the grid, and from each clue. We were told that the perimeter contained a writer … Read more >>
This was a marvellous crossword, many thanks, Mordred. Great clues all through, very difficult (solving time, 53 mins) but very satisfying to finish. There’s also quite a subtle Nina (hidden message not necessary … Read more >>
Either this was a very difficult puzzle, or I just wasn’t on Paul’s wavelength today. It took me ages to get started, and things didn’t get much better even when I’d finally got … Read more >>
I find Quixote the easiest of the Indy setters – I solved this in 11 mins. I recommend it, along with Everyman in the Observer, to those thinking of first dipping their toes … Read more >>
I hope that my appraisal of this puzzle is not jaundiced by having solved it in something of an already bleary-eyed mood. I found this to be an balanced blend of innovative ideas, … Read more >>
Monday Prize Crossword 9th March 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite … Read more >>
FT Weekend prize puzzle from March 7 Cinephile brings us a mix of some clever clues (23A, 25A, 26A, 15D), some pedestrian ones (1D), a couple of familiar ones (15A, 17D) and a … Read more >>
(x) = removed (X) = inserted * = anagram < = reversed Across 1. COMPREHENSIBLE. COM(mon) + PREHENSI(B.)LE. 9. LYRICAL. (ju)LI(an)CLARY*. Fantastic. 10. DEBAUCH. (H CUBED + A)*. I liked the use of … Read more >>
A pleasing challenge from Aardvark today with some nicely misleading clues and a few interesting indicators, for example ‘aperitifs’ and ‘evolution’. 6d had me looking for an anagram of ‘at her holiday inn’ … Read more >>
Tougher than usual for Dac I thought, but the fact that I had to solve this whilst standing up on a bus and trying not to fall into people probably didn’t help my … Read more >>
It was with a sinking heart that I embarked on this. Despite what it says at the top of this page under SETTERS, Tees is not medium in difficulty. In fact in my … Read more >>