Author: Curarist

This took a while to get going, and I stared for ages at 15dn until it twigged, so an above-par time of 9 minutes for me. Nice surfaces generally. My COD has to be 16ac.

Well this was fairly straightforward, though nothing like as easy as the one I blogged by mistake this morning (always remember to refresh your tabs, boys and girls). I came in at a more or … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2124 by Izetti”

Well, well. After a long run of easy ones to blog, I think a lot pf people are going to find this a bit of a challenge. I could not parse 23ac and I was on … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2114 by Rongo”

Nice and straightforward, though for some reason  I couldn’t see 2dn for ages. I was on the lookout for some April-fool-type shenanigans but I can’t see any. 8 minutes for me. Across 3 A dish … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2104 by Oink”

Another four-and-a-half-minuter for me, compact and pleasing with some nice surfaces esp 12ac and 24 ac. I didn’t know 11 across, but the wordplay was straightforward. Across 1 Stella met hysteria, displaying jewel (8) AMETHYST … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2094 by Juno”

For some reason I absolutely tore through this in 4 minutes, which is my quickest time in ages. Everything is pretty familiar, to an experienced solver at least. The only one that gave me pause … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2084 by Orpheus”

Straightforward with some nice touches. My favourite is 24ac with its spotless surface. 20dn is a cracker too. 7 minutes for me. Across 8 Information being published concerning property contract (7) RELEASE – RE + LEASE 9 … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2074 by Izetti”

I found this a bit odd. Hard to get going, even though 1 ac is pretty obvious in hindsight. I’ve got issues with some of the clues as detailed below, and some might find this tricky as … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2064 by Teazel”

Straigtforward enough, but one in which experience may count. There are a few wordplay devices that are fine if you’ve seen them before, but beginners may find harder. Most clues eminently biffable, though which helps, and … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2054 by Rongo”

I enjoyed this, though it took me over my target at 8 minutes. Looking back I’m not altogether sure why. It seems straightforward enough. 7dn probably my COD. Across 1 Judge and I am occupying … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2044 by Pedro”