Another top-notch puzzle form Monk, and easy on the grey matter for the post-Christmas period. Thank you Monk.
Independent 9113 / Dac
This is the final Dac puzzle of 2015. The entries were fairly well known words or phrases. For me, the least well known was SLOTH BEAR at 17 down. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26767 by Picaroon
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26767.
Inquisitor 1417: Eve’s Arrival by Schadenfreude
Schadenfreude provided a good challenge for Christmas The preamble was not too long and fairly understandable even on the first read through. It told us that "The perimeter clues and … Read more >>
Independent 9112 by Hob
This crossword from Hob was in the Nimrod league so far as difficulty is concerned. It took me absolutely ages, and even now I’m not sure about the parsing of one or two of the answers. Who knows just why, since when I can understand the answer it seems straightforward enough; perhaps it’s because the definition is often cunningly disguised and when you do have an idea what it is the number of options is so great that you aren’t exactly led by the hand towards the right one.
Definitions underlined.
Guardian 26,766 / Arachne
A lovely late Christmas present – a puzzle from Arachne to blog, enjoyable as ever. As usual, I’ll leave you to name your own favourites. Many thanks to Arachne. My last blog of … Read more >>
Financial Times 15124 by FALCON
One for lovers of stage and screen.
Beelzebub 1,346
The closing date for Beelzebub was postponed until today for the obvious festive reasons, hence the delayed blog post. I don’t have a great deal of notes as it’s been a fairly long … Read more >>
Independent 9111 by Monk
Oh dear, I thought Monday was supposed to be a nice gentle day here at the Indy, Wot’s Monk doing here??
Quiptic 841 by Hectence
Phew. Not a bit of leftover turkey or a stale mince pie in sight.
Guardian Cryptic 26765 by Paul
A very enjoyable puzzle – many thanks Paul. Favourites 19ac, 22ac, 27ac, 6dn, and 17dn.
Everyman 3611/20 December
My fellow blogger flashling commented that last week’s Everyman was harder than usual. I would echo that today. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram … Read more >>
Independent 1348 by Poins
Straightforward definitions but some of the constructions were tricky to parse. Thank you Poins.
Enigmatic Variations 1204: Rest by Mynot
After struggling through a few blank-ish jigsaw EVs recently, I was hoping for a REST…and so it seemed to be…until I realised that Mynot had given me FOUR mini-jigsaws!… Sets of four clues … Read more >>
Financial Times 15122 by GAFF
A themed offering for Christmas from Gaff.