Author: Curarist

Grateful for a straightforward one as I am feeling ever-so-slightly fragile this morning. Interesting solve, with any tricky wordplay generally compensated by biffability, e.g. 7dn which I didn’t parse until afterwards, and some nice anagrams. … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1944 by Pedro”

I reckon some will find this a bit of a challenge. The NW corner is the hardest part, which makes it difficult to get going and tends to put you on the back foot for the … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1934 by Teazel”

Given the profusion of anagrams and double definitions, I’m guessing this will be straightforward for most. It felt a bit samey, though I did like 17ac and 2d. 5 minutes for me. Across 1 Wicked … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1924 by Mara”

So a little more tricky than usual, I’d say. I found myself taking an unusual clockwise route round the grid. There are a couple of obscure terms that only the more seasoned solvers will have … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1914 by Orpheus”

Another gentle outing, with little to trap the unwary except for a couple of bits of slightly obscure vocabulary. Just over 5 minutes for me. Across 1 Put off, with bombs laid? Resolute! (10) DETERMINED … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1904 by Corelli”

So after a run of tricky ones, I think this will come a bit of welcome relief, being a romp for the most part. That said, I couldn’t get started in the usual place, and … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1894 by Pedro”

Quite the anagram fest today, which usually indicates the easier end of the spectrum, though I took 8 minutes which is mid-range for me. CoD probably 16ac. Across 1 Thought of French being set free … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1884 by Mara”

An interesting mélange today, which some may find tricky. There’s also a fairly obvious Nina (Glossary here if you don’t know what that means): 1ac 6ac, who is 9ac, wrote 13ac and lived in 6dn. … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1874 by Felix”

This took me a little longer than usual, so I suspect it is at the harder end of the spectrum. Generally an enjoyable solve with some nice surfaces. 9 minutes for me. Across 1 Correct … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1864 by Izetti”

I’d say this is on the easire end of the scale. I can’t give you a time because I was interrupted but I reckon 7 minutes or so. Lots of anagrams. Favourite clue probably 20dn … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1854 by Felix”