I was well and truly Teazed! But at least I finished, albeit in 11:19. This was very tricky but very satisfying.
Month: October 2022
Times Cryptic 28418
There were a few tricky clues and a handful of unknowns in wordplay but much of this was very straightforward including several clues that would not be out of place in a Quick Cryptic.
Times Quick Cryptic 2241 by Trelawney
A good start then a slow finish in the SW.
Times 28417 – Criminal waste of a minor prophet
A bit of arcane vocab, a bit of sciency stuff, a few Latiny words – just the sort of fare you’d expect from the Thunderer.
Times Quick Cryptic 2240 by Hurley
Nothing to scare the horses here I think, but how did you all do?
Mephisto 3240 – Dearly bought
This one was definitely on the tougher side, and I was please to be able to finish after considerable struggle. I did biff quite a few, and the pun was very helpful.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5027 by David McLean — the unexpected
I can’t tell whether this (mostly) very fine puzzle is really much harder than it seemed at first or if my state of distraction on the eve of a suddenly necessary trip to Philadelphia was to blame for my delayed finish.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1577 – 24th September
This one is a middle of the road Jumbo Cryptic, I think, with plenty of straightforward clues to give you some checkers and a few less common words to boost your vocabulary. I finished in 36 1/2 minutes, which is a bit faster than average for me. I liked the travelling dog, the edible wood and the not-so-busy afternoon best. Thank-you setter. How did you all like it?
Times Cryptic No 28410 – Saturday, 1 October 2022. Sonnet stew.
There were a few unknowns here, including the sonnet and the stew, but all of them solvable.
Times Quick Cryptic No 2239 by Izetti
YAI! Yet Another Izetti, my third in a row. One or two tricky bits, as always with Izetti, but lots of classy clues. Thank-you Izetti! How did you all get on?
Fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic. This time it is Sawbill’s turn to provide the extra weekend entertainment. You can find his crossword here. Enjoy!