“The perimeter contains the surnames of SIX AUTHORS, reading clockwise from top left and referred to as 1 to 6 in that order in the six blocks. Solvers IN SEARCH OF A CHARACTER (or pair of characters) to be written in the vacant cell in each block will find them appearing in no particular order in the six shaded cells. Each BLOCK RECIPE DIFFERS, as the unchecked perimeter letters spell out. All clues contain an extra letter, to be removed before solving and always leaving a real word; when read in clue order these will assist. Numbers in brackets give cells available; the Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Guardian Prize 27,441 / Paul
Another enjoyable – and pretty clean – Prize puzzle from Paul. Many thanks to him. Because I blog the Prize puzzle every four weeks and Paul seems to occupy the Prize slot every … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,796 by BRADMAN
Usual Friday fare from Bradman, thanks to whom for a good workout.
Guardian 27,446 / Puck
Quite a challenge from Puck this morning – and a most enjoyable one, too. Many thanks to him for the fun. [I do hope there’s not a ghost theme or Nina as well.] … Read more >>
Independent 9,792 by Phi
This was probably on the slightly easier end of the Phi spectrum of difficulty, not that it fell all that comfortably. Apart from one or two slight doubts, indicated below, I found this as usual to be pleasant and accessible.
Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Financial Times
Those who prefer to solve online may be interested to know that the FT now has an (experimental) interactive version of its cryptic puzzles. A link to the relevant page can be found … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,795 by DOGBERRY
The puzzle can be found here.
Guardian Cryptic 27,445 by Pan
A nice puzzle with a mix of easier and trickier clues. Favourites were 3dn and 20dn – thanks, Pan
Independent 9791 / Serpent
Great fun from Serpent today who had us wrapped up in his devious coils quite a few times during the solve. We blogged three Serpent puzzles in a row in December and January … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,785 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 17, 2018
Independent 9,790 / Dac
Dac occupies this Wednesday’s compiling slot – back where he belongs, one might say! I found this to be an enjoyable puzzle, not that challenging, which was just perfect for me on a … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,794 by ALBERICH
A very enjoyable puzzle from Alberich. Understated rather than flashy, but none the worse for that. Thank you Alberich.
My apologies for the blog being a little later than usual this morning but I had to dig the puzzle out of a snowdrift.
Guardian 27,444 – Paul
It’s hard to find anything new to say about Paul: I can only express my admiration for his ability to come up with high-quaity puzzles with such regularity. This was a typical example, … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1530: Banner Advertisement by Serpent
This was another Serpentine puzzle. I had the pleasure of sorting out and blogging “Mirror Image” in June. This one was less artistic, but equally devious. A carte blanche with blanks in it … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,443 by Boatman
The puzzle can be solved online here.