Guardian 24,092/Quantum
This puzzle is dominated by four long down entries. Once you have solved them, the rest of the answers become much easier to fathom out. It was generally fair, and there are some … Read more >>
Inquisitor 21 / Phi – Spooner strikes back
Solving time: 36 minutes A simple but original gimmick and fairly easy clues to non-theme words combined to make this a quick but still entertaining solve. Experience of Azed’s Spoonerism puzzles also helped … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 902 by Quixote
The usual excellent fare. Solving time: 13 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 SEAMSTRESS Cryptic definition 6 SCAM(p) 14 SWIMMING POOL Which in crossword language could mean – make an anagram of it … Read more >>
Independent 6434 by Phi – Absolutely Not!
The usual top quality puzzle from Phi, with all clear in the end. Held up a little by two musical clues (9 ac, 4 dn) crossing, but got there in the end. In … Read more >>
Guardian 24091/Paul – one’s or your?
Solving time: 35’ Lots of wondrous wordplay to admire here – and some to wonder about. Sometimes numbers in clues really are numbers – and not other clues. The editing isn’t The Guardian’s … Read more >>
Independent 6433/Dac
Across 1 R,(A DIPS)* 4 I,MIT(t) in SCAR – excellent &lit clue. 9 (A SLAVONIC VIRTUE)* 11 SHELLAC – tricky one this, and a guess for me. SHELLAC is a US word meaning … Read more >>
Guardian 24090, Brendan: botanical females
A particularly appropriate one for an inaugural blog by a female gardener, being themed around women and plant names. Quite a mix of clues — mostly pretty easy, but one or two more … Read more >>
Independent 6432/Virgilius
A very quick puzzle, for me, helped by the letter patterns of the long across answers and some obvious anagrams. Some very good cluing, as usual, but no noticeable theme. cd = cryptic … Read more >>
Guardian 24,089, Araucaria: Hoary Potter
As we approach the long-awaited publication of the latest instalment of the boy wizard’s adventures, it may be time for a moratorium on Potter-themed crosswords. I’d done quite a few clues before I turned to 5,25, … Read more >>
Guardian 24088/Rufus
Solving time 11:05 Well, surprise surprise! A Rufus puzzle with only a couple of (good) cryptic definitions, and overall a great set of clues with excellent surface readings throughout. Rufus has complained in … Read more >>
Independent 6431 Tees / A Mixed Bag
soLVING TIME: 1 hr 5 mins (with a couple of hints). Whether it is the sandblasting doses of antibiotics I am mainlining or that I am being especially thick today, but I found … Read more >>
Everyman 3164/am I over the hill?
Solving time: 30’ Good solid wordplay – no quibbles and a reminder that I really must pay more attention to Sean Connery’s films if I’m to continue my relationship with Everyman. Across 1 … Read more >>
Independent 6424/Monk
Superb but very tough puzzle from Monk. The bottom right-hand corner caused me all sorts of problems (especially 22A, 20D and 23D) and the top-left was any easier. I’m still not sure about … Read more >>
Guardian 24,081 (Sat 19 May)/Araucaria – Know-how
Solving time: 20 mins, Chambers for 18ac and 19dn. Three monster clues (six or seven words each) in this puzzle, two of them linked, but easier than usual to get without lots of … Read more >>
Independent 6429 by Phi – hearing and speaking
A little trickier than normally for Phi. Solving time: 22 mins ACROSS 1 B LOW 2 HIGH SEAS ON 10 RATS Star reversed 11 ERUPTION i in not pure – all reversed … Read more >>