The puzzle can be found here.
Guardian 27,398 – Vlad
As seems to happen regularly, Vlad softened me up with a few easy clues, but left me struggling afterwards. Still, I got there in the end, and it all looks perfectly reasonable in … Read more >>
Guardian 27,397 / Paul
An entertaining puzzle from Paul to brighten a very dull morning. A medley of some easy charades [8ac and 13dn] and insertions [9ac and 5dn] and some very neatly crafted clues [15ac 14dn and … Read more >>
Independent 9743 / Tees
A really good challenge from Tees today. All very sound clues – we particularly liked 17ac and 29ac for their neat surfaces. Across 9 21’s 23 for 14 animal’s resting-place? (3,6) … Read more >>
Guardian 27,388 / Maskarade
This was the bumper double-grid Christmas crossword from Maskerade. Unfortunately, we found this very hard, and not terribly enjoyable as result – it’ll be interesting to find out what the rest of you … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,740 Christmas Crossword by Gozo
As usual at this season, we have a themed Christmas Crossword set by Gozo. And unusually, if I remember correctly, we have a Christmas Crossword with a number. The themes are famous cats … Read more >>
Independent 9,742 / Hoskins
Hoskins has been quite prolific of late and has provided this first Wednesday challenge of 2018. I found this to be a medium-difficulty puzzle, less taxing than some of Hoskins’ recent offerings. My … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,746 by AARDVARK
An excellent puzzle. Thank you Aardvark.
Guardian Cryptic 27,396 by Nutmeg
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27396.
Inquisitor 1522: Joy by Artix
This may sound sad, but I’m starting to write this on Christmas morning. My daughter is asleep in the next room, having been woken in Richmond by planes coming in to Heathrow at … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,745 by CRUX
A stylish start to the year from Crux.
Guardian 27,395 / Picaroon
A great way to start my blogging year – a puzzle from Picaroon! There are a couple of excellent anagrams here, at 17ac and 3dn, along with the customary witty wordplay, definitions and … Read more >>
Independent 9741 / Punk
Punk sets the first Tuesday Independent of 2018 The theme is defined by the gateway entry at 22 across – UNDERGROUND. There were nine London UNDERGROUND stations in the grid. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,394 by Chifonie
A very pleasant and gentle start to the year – favourites were 1dn and 8dn. Thanks to Chifonie, and Happy New Year to all.
Guardian Quiptic 946/Carpathian
Bonne Année et Bonne Santé! There, that’s my allocation of exclamation marks for 2018 used up. Now onto the first Quiptic of 2018 (or is it?) This puzzle appears on the Guardian … Read more >>