PHSSTHPOK kicks off Monday morning…
Guardian Cryptic 28,800 by Vulcan
A nice Monday puzzle and an enjoyable solve – my favourites were 30ac, 3dn, and 21dn. Thanks to Vulcan.
Independent 11,146/Filbert
Chuffing Nora, as they say in these parts. I only ever blog the weekday Indy on a Monday, so am habituated to a reasonably gentle puzzle to start the week, but … Read more >>
Everyman 3,950/26 June
Another well-compiled and clearly-clued puzzle from Everyman this morning. I enjoyed it, and can imagine improving solvers will have as well. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1688 Hoskins
Thank you to Hoskins. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 5. Was lout letting loose criminals? (7) OUTLAWS : Anagram of(… letting loose) WAS LOUT. 7. American leader’s pretty perceptive (5) ACUTE … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 228 by Harpo
Hello – I’m a new blogger, assigned to the Genius. I’ve solved every one of the Geniuses since their creation (and never won the prize!) I hope I’ve got this one right …
Independent 11,145 by Monk
The puzzle is available here. Hi all. I enjoyed untangling this rather tricky offering from Monk. I liked 26a and thought 28a also nicely done, although I couldn’t remember exactly who the … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 28,793 by Vlad
A puzzle with a political theme this week by Vlad.
Guardian Cryptic 28,798 by Pangakupu
Enjoyed this, with a nice mix of friendlier and trickier clues. Favourites were 10ac, 16ac, 2dn, and 3dn. Thanks to Pangakupu.
Independent 11,144 / Phi
Phi’s puzzle brings this latest set of mid-week puzzles to an end. I thought that this was towards the difficult end of the spectrum for Phi in the Indy, and in the end, … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,135 by BRADMAN
A proper head-scratcher from BRADMAN this Friday.
Financial Times 17,134 by ZAMORCA
A typical Zamorca for today's FT crossword
Independent 11143 / Dutch
A tricky puzzle from Dutch today. We have an eclectic mix of entries today. It’s not often I write the words UMBILICAL HERNIA and PLACENTA in the same place. CAP … Read more >>
Guardian 28,797 – Qaos
I made quick work of this one, helped by what seemed a lot of anagram-related clues. Thanks to Qaos. It was a bit harder to identify the theme, which I think is Nancy … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1544: The Bounty by The Ace of Hearts
Hi everyone. I had an Ace (of Hearts) weekend, as I noticed that this setter had also provided the Listener puzzle of the day before and so did that too for comparison. Bountiful … Read more >>