Financial Times 16,673 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 2, 2021 I found this Mudd fairly easy and nicely enjoyable. My favourite clues are 21ac (BALDERDASH) which taught me some Norse mythology, 24ac (OLIVER), … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,682 / Aardvark
The scheduled blogger hasn’t been able to be with us today, for one reason or another, so here is an analysis of the clues, with no further commentary from me. Across 1 A … Read more >>
Independent 10,687 by Eccles
Eccles is leading us astray today, in a good way – plenty of amusing misdirections. I enjoyed the definitions hiding in plain sight in 15d and 16d, and the “just do what it … Read more >>
Guardian 28,341 – Philistine
I found this quite easy by Philistine’s standards, though good fun as always. Thanks to Philistine. Stop press: just noticed a theme of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, with the titles of NORTHERN … Read more >>
Financial Times 16681 Basilisk
Thank you Basilisk. Some nice surfaces here. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Great role identified by diminutive actor? (6) HAMLET : HAM(an overacting actor) – LET(a suffix signifying a small/diminutive … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1680: Testament of Youth by Lato
Haven’t seen Lato here for a year or so. Preamble: Thematic clues are listed in alphabetical order of their solutions which must be paired off and entered incompletely where they fit. Extra … Read more >>
Independent 10,686 by Radian
It’s been quite a while since we last blogged a Radian puzzle, so we looked forward to this. And we weren’t disappointed. Being a Radian and on a Tuesday, there had to be … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,340 by Puck
Puck is playing games (well, a game) with us today. I didn’t actually notice the “theme” until after I’d completed the puzzle, but once I had the completed gris in front of me, … Read more >>
Independent 10,685 by Gila
An enjoyable and mostly easy puzzle. ACROSS 1 SEINFELD US sitcom character‘s life ends badly (8) (Life ends)* 5 GRADES Grammar school receiving excellent 5th place in Ofsted’s rankings (6) G{rammar} … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,104/Matilda
Matilda has produced a pleasing Quiptic this morning, which I think meets the brief – ‘for beginners, and those in a hurry’ – pretty well. For those in the former category, additional explanation … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,680 by HAMILTON
Hamilton’s distinctive style is often commented on as being a bit cavalier with “the rules”. Despite the odd questionable surface, I very much enjoyed this puzzle. There were a few write-ins but that’s … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,339 by Vulcan
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28339. I think Vulcan is now hitting the right notes for the Monday slot, after a shaky start as a Rufus tribute (and picking up on what … Read more >>
Everyman 3,873
The Everyman used to be excellent. Then its setter retired and it went through a short period of being rather unsatisfactory. Now it seems to be returning to its previous standard — harder, … Read more >>
Azed 2534
A plain competition puzzle from Azed this week This was a week where I solved more clues on the first pass through than I usually do. We had the usual … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,611 by Tees
A nice Sunday puzzle as usual from Tees, makes you think a bit but not so much as to spoil the digestion. Thank you Tees. ACROSS 8 SANSKRIT Language without appeal draws … Read more >>