Financial Times 16,569 by VELIA
A (mostly) gentle start to the week from VELIA… This all went quite swimmingly, with all the long clues round the edges going in early on. Nothing to complain about (though I dare … Read more >>
Everyman 3,854/23 August
Another sound puzzle from Everyman, with – as should be the case – nothing to frighten the horses. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1592 Hoskins
Thank you to Hoskins. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 6. Take Scottish leader’s temperature for doc (7) SURGEON : “T”(symbol for “temperature” in physics) deleted from(Take) “Sturgeon”(Nicola, First Minister of Scotland). … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,515 ‘Cherchez la Femme’
Special instruction here, but the puzzle is not very far removed from a standard cryptic. Thank you Azed. As is often the case with Azed specials the instructions are long and detailed but … Read more >>
Independent 10,571 by Hob
This one kept me wondering for some time about what was going on. I assumed it was one theme for most of the time, then thought it was another, but it wasn’t until … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 28,219 by Nutmeg
A rare appearance by Nutmeg in the “prize” slot this week. This is Nutmeg’s first appearance in the prize slot for over a year; I don’t remember blogging one of her puzzles before, … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1448: CITS LPTE by Oxymoron
Hello all. We have another gem from the late Oxymoron, which I very much enjoyed. The preamble reads: 13 thematic answers (10 clued without definitions) appearing in a CITS LPTE are to … Read more >>
Guardian 28,224 / Philistine
It’s Philistine to round off the weekday puzzles, in his customary playful and witty style. I found this a fairly straightforward puzzle – not Philistine at his hardest – with a mini-theme … Read more >>
Independent 10,570 / Phi
Phi’s puzzle takes us nicely into the Bank Holiday weekend. I found this to be an enjoyable medium-difficulty puzzle through which I made steady progress. I think that I have parsed everything to … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,567 by WANDERER
A brisk WANDERER challenge this Friday AM. Thanks WANDERER, for the workout. FF: 8 DD: 8 ACROSS 1, 6 JOBS FOR THE BOYS Former IT boss faces current online stink? Yes, if heartlessly … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,566 by ALBERICH
The ever-reliable Alberich is today's FT setter. This was typical Alberich fare – a range of devices, some clever diversions, smooth surfaces and very few superfluous words. I particularly enjoyed the clues for … Read more >>
Independent 10569 / Klingsor
Klingsor is one of the less frequent setters in the Independent daily series. I blogged his last puzzle in June where I see I commented on his penchant for classical musical references … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,223 by Qaos
A quicker solve than usual for a Qaos puzzle… …with a theme that helped me to write in some answers with more confidence – terms for members of the police: PEELER, SWEENEY TODD … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,556 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 15, 2020 I found this a quick solve with 15ac (EROS) my first-in and 17dn (STARLESS) my last. My favourite clue is the delightful 1ac … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,565 by AARDVARK
A traditional style puzzle but not an easy one. Getting to the bottom of the explanations took quite a while.Thank you Aardvark. The grid looks like a pangram, but I haven’t checked. UPDATE: … Read more >>