Financial Times 12,770 by Falcon (As Easy As Pi?)
A mostly easy but excellent puzzle from Falcon with one clue (3D), the wordplay of which I failed to fully fathom. 21A was tricky because while I am familiar with expressions “as easy … Read more >>
FT 12.779/ Cinephile
I didn’t detect any over-arching theme in this puzzle, although the appearance of the word NINA in the sixth column could well mean that I’m missing something. Across 1 HUM,MIN(GB,IR)D 9 W,OR,SE – … Read more >>
Independent 6744 by Radian
An excellent themed puzzle by Radian, timed, I expect, to coincide with Sebastian Faulks’ new James Bond book on the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth, I think. I got the theme almost instantly … Read more >>
Guardian 24,400 – Pasquale
Common abbreviations used dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition ha = hidden answer rev = reversed or reversal cha = charade ins = insertion After my baptism of fire with The … Read more >>
Guardian 24399 Paul : “Render Bender”
Pretty straightforward Paul today, but full of fun. ACROSS 1 s(kim)py 4 pi-l-char-d 9 tackle : typical Paulish schoolboy humour – made my day 10 pa(m ay)res : author of “I wished I’d … Read more >>
Independent 6743/Dac
What’s Dac doing on a Tuesday? Something’s afoot. Oh yes, today must be special – look at the outer unches – in which case many congratulations. A typical Dac, as usual excellent, but there were one … Read more >>
Financial Times 12778 / Highlander
Quite an easy crossword that I finished in just ten minutes. A beginner-level puzzle with simple words and uncomplicated and rather familiar wordplay. Across 1 TUMBLE DRIER – tumble, Dr., i.e., R – charade … Read more >>
Guardian 24398/Rufus – should have stayed in bed
Somewhat patchy Rufus — some doubtful cryptic definitions but elsewhere some clever misdirections. I’m writing this up through the fog of a migraine so no promises as to quality. In retrospect, I wonder … Read more >>
Independent 6742 – Eimi / Bank Holiday Fun
Solving time: 24 minutes A good stiff Bank Holiday mental workout. A very entertaining curate’s egg of a puzzle for me in that i really liked some clues, but one or two definitions … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 365 – I will survive
This was most enjoyable. Across 6 NOAH NO-AH “Flood survivor” I had a real blank on this one. I expect it was just me. It ended up being the last in. I left … Read more >>
Azed 1877: Take a bow
Very much at the easy end of the Azed spectrum (I hope that doesn’t upset anyone). I don’t know how long this took me, as I don’t time myself and I’m usually multi-tasking … Read more >>
Guardian 24,391/Araucaria – Herbal medicine
Solving time: 45 mins This was the hardest Guardian prize puzzle for ages and I thought for a while that I was going to fail it completely, with less than half of the … Read more >>
FT 12,775/ Sleuth
With apologies for the later than usual posting. Nothing desperately troublesome in this puzzle. Given the grid structure, I was half expecting some sort of Nina message to emerge in the outside columns. … Read more >>
Independent 6735/Morph
Across 6 MA,(HID)* – MAHDI (“Guided one”) was the prophesied redeemer of Islam. MA is the Internation Vehicle Registration (IVR) for Morocco. 9 (MESSY ST)* – SYSTEMS. 10 ANDOVER – DNA is “AND … Read more >>
Inquisitor 72 — Neighbours by Lato
I nearly didn’t finish this puzzle. I was a page turn from giving up despite having completed the grid. I had no idea what the theme was and with a couple of ambiguous … Read more >>