Independent 6905/Hypnos
The wordplay is always fine, but forgive me if I’m lukewarm about some of the surfaces, which seem to me to be a bit thin. ‘Publication with no trouble elevated colour’; ‘A liberal honour … Read more >>
Guardian 24,561 – Brummie
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Another superb day! True to his reputation … Read more >>
Financial Times 12940 / Armonie
A very enjoyable puzzle. I got bottom half first, then top right and finally top left (it was the same pattern with yesterday’s Guardian crossword). Across 1 PANTHEON – pan, the, on – … Read more >>
Independent 6904 / Glowworm
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone A Christmas list themed puzzle that had some well-constructed clues, but a little too much obscure stuff (e.g. abolla, ibo) for my liking. There were a couple I didn’t … Read more >>
Guardian 24560 / Rufus
A fun puzzle for a Monday morning – my particular favourite was 14d. Across 5. SCARAB A R in SCAB 6. CHERRY HER in CRY 9. SHIFTS Double definition 10. ORNAMENT (A M … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 65 by Enigmatist
Another BOB DYLAN crossword, overlapping a recent Listener, although I am not sure why the focus was on Dylan in November. It’s not his birthday nor any other particular anniversary that I can … Read more >>
Azed 1904
A moderately difficult Azed, which I somehow found more of a slog and less of a pleasure than usual, though as always it’s scrupulously fair and there are some excellent clues. Key: dd … Read more >>
Guardian 24553 (Sat 22 Nov)/Shed – New arrival?
Solving time: 20:43, two mistakes (23ac and 5dn) I found this fairly difficult but enjoyable. A number of the answers, including the two I guessed incorrectly (EPISEMON and ERYSIPELAS), had ambiguous wordplays, which … Read more >>
Inquisitor 99 THE MAN OF THE HIGH CASTLE by Phi
My apologies for the late arrival of this blog. I have been having problems getting into Google Calendar and so was not aware that it was my turn! Another finely thought-out puzzle from … Read more >>
Independent 6902/Phi
A nice 4-based crossword from Phi today. Across 1 THE MOONSTONE — them (not so)* one — OK once one has 4 8 FLORIDA — (fair old)* — excellent &lit. 9 V AUNTED … Read more >>
Guardian 24558 / Chifonie
I normally find Chifonie very difficult, so I was pleased to get through about half today’s puzzle very fast – the rest of the clues (mostly in the bottom half) took quite a … Read more >>
Independent 6897/Phi (22-11-08 Prize Puzzle)
It’s not often we see a preamble in an Indy puzzle, and I’m not really sure we needed one here. If the X in the thematic clues was replaced by 7 then surely … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,937 by Sleuth
Smiffy is busy enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday today so you will have to put up with me instead. There was nothing particularly difficult in this offering from Sleuth so I haven’t seen a … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 838 – Definition or by Xanthipe
Overall, a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on wet Sunday afternoon. I thought some of the normal clues were a little on the easy side but this was compensated for … Read more >>
Guardian 24, 557 set by Logodaedalus
I don’t remember seeing a Logodaedalus puzzle for a while, so it’s a welcome return. I found this pretty straightforward, with some nice surfaces and anagrams, although I have a couple of quibbles. … Read more >>