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 >>
Inquisitor #20/Circumstances by MynoT
For reasons I still don’t quite know, this puzzle took me ages to solve. When I look back on it now, it appears to be fairly straightforward as far as themed puzzles go. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,086, Logodaedalus: Well-tempered Upsetters
Pretty simple fare for a Friday, took me just over 10 mins, with a high proportion of clues solving more or less at first look. Wordplay mostly straightforward, apart from 1ac (see below) and 20 … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 901 by Quixote
No major problems with this. Solving time: 13 mins * = anagram ACROSS 7 T (OUCH) UP Put = set (reversed). Clever misleading context as the “improve slightly” in the definition has nothing … Read more >>
Independent 6428/Math
Across 10 ORATE – the muse for love poetry is Erato so you switch the E and O round to get ORATE. 12 EARLY BIRD – I didn’t know what an “archaeopteryx” was … Read more >>
Guardian 24,085 – Araucaria – always a pleasure
When I opened the Guardian website today to see whose puzzle I’d be blogging, I had that familair sense of unease that comes from seeing the name “Araucaria”. Don’t get me wrong – … Read more >>
Independent 6427/Dac
A quickish and crossword and a quickish blog as I have to get back to finish some work! Not absolutely sure about 15 across so if anyone’s got a better answer or explanation … Read more >>
Guardian 24084/Gordius – middle-aged
Solving time: 25’ Some very slick wordplay here – in many cases I had to think hard and laterally to identify the setter’s devices. In others, I’m still wondering. A few middle-aged complaints … Read more >>