Author: Curarist

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”

Predictably Christmas-themed and very gentle. 16dn – nice of Noel to include the city I would be visiting next week if it weren’t for all the hysterical politicians. 4 minutes for me. Across 1 Crazy solvers! … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2034 by Noel”

I found this awkward to start with, though it started to flow once I got going. I’ll be interested to see how others get on, but I reckon this is at the trickier end of … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2024 by Izetti”

So I came in slightly over target at 6 and a bit minutes. It’s got a whole bunch of crossword staples that you either know or you don’t, (LING, IDE, ELL) which makes me think … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2014 by Izetti”

I rattled through this in about 4 minutes, but it contains a lot of crossword staples that less experienced solvers might not be so familiar with. There’s at least one whole clue that I’ve seen … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2004 by Oink”

I enjoyed this. I wondered if we were in for a Nina with all the mercy and charity going on. Largely straighforward, but I couldn’t see 1dn for some reason. I suppose ‘scum’ for ‘film’ … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1994 by Felix”

Sorry – bit late this morning but thankfully a gentle offering from Wurm which took me about 5 minutes. I did quite a lot of biffing. I stared longest at 22a, which was my LOI. … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1984 by Wurm”