Independent 6662/Phi
Nothing very controversial I think – the usual excellent crossword from Phi. Across 1 (a)UNTY PIC AL(l) 6 ONC(U [=for all to see])E 9 EV(OK)E 10 ARM STRONG. I think this is it: … Read more >>
Independent 6657/Monk – Bullet-proof!
A puzzle of two halves for me; the Downs were all pretty easy but the Acrosses less so. All good fun though. No Nina or theme that I can see but I might … Read more >>
Inquisitor 59 – Commemoration by Hypnos
Solving time: no recorded – let’s call it 90 minutes With lots of articles in the papers, it didn’t take much effort to guess a possible theme here – the spare letters message … Read more >>
Guardian, 24317 (Gordius)
Across 1 JETSAM: SAM (American) after JET 8 ITCHIER: anagram of RICH TEa + I; you need to replace the “a” with an “i” (one for a) 9 HACKSAW: HACK (reporter) + SAW … Read more >>
Independent 6661 by Eimi
Some very good and varied material here – quick progress early on, but slow to finish. Solving time: 28 mins * = anagram ACROSS 7/19 CAPE FEAR (A preface)* 8 (St)ALL (THE SAME) … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 940 by Quixote (17 Feb 2008)
I found this a little harder than usual from Quixote. Solving time: 27 mins. Notes on some clues below – happy to explain others if asked. < = reversed * = anagram ACROSS … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,687 by Cincinnus
Another beauty from Cincinnus. Don’t you love 27A? Also great are 12A and 26D. Across 1. ABOVE SUSPICION – anagram of OBVIOUS IN SPACE 10. ALGOL – hidden word 11. NARRATION – ARR … Read more >>
Independent 18.02.08 by Dac
Apologies for the lateness of posting, but some intravenous drugs managed to lay me low for a little while longer than expected today. Solving time: 19 minutes. Always a joy to solve Dac’s … Read more >>
Guardian 24,316 Taupi – Lanstriterate
Quite straightforward, with a pleasing lack of green dolphins (see yesterday’s puzzle) ACROSS 1 PERI-PAT(h)ETIC : “peri” is a new one on me, but wiki has a good entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peri 9 E-ROSIV-E : … Read more >>
Guardian 24315/Orlando – about midnight
Well, according to my local clock it’s still today Tuesday. So by the letter of the law, this isn’t late. I like Orlando’s clean Ximenean sensibility which means precise, albeit sometimes surprising clues. … Read more >>
Independent 6659/Virgilius
Make the most of this puzzle, we might not see a Virgilius next week, unless he has a few puzzles in the pipeline. Not sure if this constitutes a theme but lots of … Read more >>
Independent 6658 by Tees
* = anag, < = reversed Another very tough Monday puzzle by Tees with a slight theme of political party leaders (although Nick Clegg was either overlooked or just couldn’t be fitted into … Read more >>
Guardian 24314/Rufus
One of Rufus’s easier offerings for the most part, with some real beginners’ clues. Look at the first 4 across clues – you have easy examples of the 4 basic clue types: anagram, … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 358 – Hello Sailor!
A lot of comedic sailors in the puzzle answers this time, what with PRATFALL crossing with SLAPSTICK and a raft of TARS, SALTS, SAILORS, RATINGS and SEAMEN. Strangely, I hadn’t noticed this mini-theme … Read more >>
AZED 1863
Solving time: not recorded, but I did finish this without looking anything up. 8/11 were the last two to go in. A couple of quibbles at 12 and 35, and some of the … Read more >>