Independent 6563 by Tees
I found this very tough indeed. Usually where there is a theme with interlinked answers, it’s slower but I thought this might be different when I found 16 across etc after just 12 … Read more >>
Guardian 24,220, Paul: Follow the grapes
Just a quick post to get the ball rolling as I’m in a training course all day. Not sure why we have the treat of a Paul on a Monday – is Rufus … Read more >>
Guardian 24,213 (Sat 20 Oct)/Araucaria – A lemon tree, Watson
Solving time: 14:15 Not too difficult this week from Araucaria, with no monster phrases or multiple cross-references. The top right corner held me up at the end, as did the long down clue … Read more >>
Azed 1847 – Inquisitors and heretics
Solving time: say 2 hours in a couple of sessions It’s intriguing to see the successor of Torquemada and Ximenes dedicating a puzzle to Araucaria, who some strict Ximeneans might want (metaphorically of … Read more >>
independent 6561 / Phi An F’ing Puzzle
Solving Time: 26 minutes Lots of F’s around in today’s Phi puzzle (including four block shapes in the corners of the grid). The usual mix of cryptic defs and good sound clue construction … Read more >>
Independent 6556/Monk (20-10-07)
I think I made very heavy weather of this as, looking back at the answers now, there’s not too much there that should have given me problems; the notable exceptions being 12A and … Read more >>
Guardian 24,218, Quantum: 4-ing troubles
It could be the toothache – I might have been more charitable if I’d waited for the co-codamol to take effect – but I found myself being rather picky today. There are some nice touches here, … Read more >>
Independent 6560/Scorpion – Thursday 25 October 2007
Solving time : well over an hour. Lots of difficult clues, as one would expect with Scorpion, but some lovely ones and most of them could eventually be explained. I think. Across 1 … Read more >>
Guardian 24217: Brummie — Aspiring (expiring) divas, take note
I was already in Brummie mode when I completed this, having just finished this week’s Cyclops. An entertaining puzzle, with the usual witty touch we’d expect from this setter. Across 1, 25 CONSPICUOUS … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 923 by Quixote
A pleasing offering from Quixote – will comment on a small number of what I found the trickier or best clues, but happy to explain others if asked. Solving time: 21 mins * … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,588 by Mudd
A solid and satisfying puzzle from Mudd this week. Across 7. ELEVATOR – anagram of TO REVEAL 8. INFORM – double definition 11. ON TAP – NT (books) in OAP (pensioner) 12. EDUCATION … Read more >>
Guardian 24216/Brendan – in a Nobel cause
Solving time approx 16 mins. I spotted 10 winners of the Nobel Peace Prize – I think that’s all there are in it. And of course 8dn gives a strong hint to the … Read more >>
Independent 6559 by Dac
An excellent puzzle from Dac, one of the top setters. Solving time: 21 mins * = anagram ACROSS 8 GNAR (L) ED This has to be right, I think, esp with the L … Read more >>
Independent 6558/Virgilius
Cryptic crossword setters often borrow terminology from the world of 2D so a bridge-themed puzzle seems very appropriate. This cleverly constructed grid contains NORTH SOUTH EAST WEST in the places you would expect … Read more >>
Guardian No 24,215/Puck – the good, the bad and the ugly?
In my opinion, a mixture of brilliant clues (5, 10, 20) and some of the things I don’t like so much in puzzles (14, 24) and a couple of clues where I’m not … Read more >>