“MEA CULPA: the results of my sins are suggested by modifications which must be made to three answers on entry into the grid; the lengths given are those of grid entries. Three other clues lack a shared definition; their solutions suggest my victims. My first name can be seen above; you must locate and highlight my nine-letter second name in the grid. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Independent 10,130 / Monk
Monk has provided a puzzle to get our teeth into this Tuesday morning. As is customary, Monk gave me a real workout, and I really had to solve this puzzle in two sittings, … Read more >>
Guardian 27,784 / Brendan
Seeing Brendan’s name on a puzzle that I’m down to blog arouses rather mixed feelings… … there’s the pleasant prospect of an enjoyable solve, combined with the dread of missing the theme, especially … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,131 by FALCON
Falcon always a pleasure, and this morning’s no exception. A couple of new words and some ‘No, really?’ head-scratchery in the bottom left
Financial Times 16,130 by CRUX
CRUX kicks off April…
Independent 10129 by Knut
A date appropriate puzzle from Knut with lots of lively and occasionally off-the-wall clueing devices.
Guardian Cryptic 27,783 by Vulcan
Quick and enjoyable solve – with smiles at 1ac, 10ac, 20ac, 2dn, 19dn, and 22dn/23dn. Thanks to Vulcan.
Guardian Quiptic 1011 Orlando
Thanks Orlando, for a neatly-clued, enjoyable puzzle that fits the Quiptic description. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7 Everlasting cross goes inside and outside (8) EXTERNAL : ETERNAL(everlasting/never-ending) containing(… goes inside) … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops/ 647) Executive Time
One of those where the last one in was the first one read and failed to solve, several times: 1A where I got totally fixated that the definition was some kind of egg … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,518 by Hypnos
The puzzle can be found here. Hello! There’s no rest for the wicked, and so I’m back again with this puzzle by Hypnos, to whom thanks. I was in need of something … Read more >>
Azed 2441
I’m afraid left too long between solving the puzzle and writing the blog to remember how I found it at the time (and didn’t make any notes). I think it probably counts as … Read more >>
Everyman 3,780
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3780.
Genius 189 /Soup
March’s Genius challenge is provided by Soup. I note that Soup has been the December Genius compiler in 2016, 2017 and 2018 but I’ve never solved any of his puzzles myself, so I … Read more >>
Independent 10,128 by Filbert
The puzzle can be found here. Hi all. After a long week, I took a longish time unwinding with this puzzle by Filbert, a setter whose crosswords I find to be a … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,776 / Crucible
It’s a while since I blogged a Crucible puzzle and so I was pleased to see his name on this one. I early on spotted a slip in the cluing for 3dn – … Read more >>