February 2023 – Times for The Times

Times Cryptic 28538

jackkt28th February 2023 at 1:30 AM10 September 2025Daily Cryptic

I had all but three answers in half-an-hour but needed another 12 minutes to polish them off.

Times Quick Cryptic 2341 by Oink

BletchleyReject28th February 2023 at 1:00 AM10 September 2025Quick Cryptic

More than enough to keep the grey matter ticking over with this enjoyable offering from Oink.

Times Quick Cryptic 2340 by Mara

jackkt27th February 2023 at 1:02 AM10 September 2025Quick Cryptic

I found this quite straightforward. How did you all get on with it?

Times 28537 – Overegging the omelette?

ulaca27th February 2023 at 12:30 AM10 September 2025Daily Cryptic

No fewer than five, perhaps, six, cryptic definitions (of varying efficacy) make this quirky piece more difficult than your average Monday fare.

Mephisto 3260 – We welcome new Mephisto setter John Grimshaw

vinyl126th February 2023 at 12:56 AM10 September 2025Mephisto

When tackling a puzzle like Mephisto with a new setter, one never knows quite what to expect. As solvers, we have gotten used to the styles of the rota of solvers, and we know what tricks they are likely to use.

Sunday Times Cryptic No 5047 by Robert Price — curious incidents

Guy du Sable26th February 2023 at 12:00 AM10 September 2025Weekend Cryptic

This was all solved at a steady and unhurried pace. No mysteries remaining, but I wouldn’t exactly call the ratiocination required “elementary,” my dear reader.

Times Cryptic Jumbo 1599 – 11 February 2023

jackkt25th February 2023 at 12:10 AM10 September 2025Jumbo Cryptic

I found this quite easy and solved it over two sessions.

Times Cryptic No 28530 – Saturday, 18 February 2023. People and places, real or imaginary.

branch25th February 2023 at 12:00 AM10 September 2025Weekend Cryptic

I got through this relatively quickly, until I found myself staring at 9dn wondering what could possibly fit there. Eventually, the crossers suggested the relevant comic book hero, and presto!

Times Quick Cryptic No 2339 by Hurley

Johninterred24th February 2023 at 1:52 AM10 September 2025Quick Cryptic

I found this even tricker than yesterday’s Joker taking me just under 7 minutes. Lots of letter selection/deletion/substitution clues today, so a good work-out from that perspective. Thank-you Hurley. How did you all get on?

Fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic. This time it is my turn to provide the extra weekend entertainment. You can find the crossword, entitled “Death of a Canary”, here. Can you identify the event from 100 years ago this month referred to in the grid?

Times 28535 – heaven’s breath

william_j_s24th February 2023 at 12:48 AM10 September 2025Daily Cryptic

I found this quite tricky, failing to get a solid hold anywhere, and having to rely on wordplay to guess some answers.