Author: Curarist

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”

This was a five-minute romp, and very wecome given my post-birthday hangover. It’s probably the easiest one I’ve ever blogged, despite the slighly unhelpful grid. Loads of double definitions. I did enjoy the freak of nature … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1844 by Mara”

I took a while getting going with this, and I’m going to guess that a lot of people will find it difficult. Some good clues, but some of the devices are a little advanced for … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1834 by Felix”

An enjoyable workout. Not sure I can predict how difficult people will find it, as there are some very straighforward clues as well as a few others that I couldn’t see straight away, e.g. 5ac, 10ac. … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1824 by Mara”

This was very pleasant, and not too difficult for the most part. I seemed to biff my way through it fairly rapidly, getting held up only on 15ac and 16dn. 8 minutes. Across 1 Turned up … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1814 by Pedro”

I ripped through this in 5 minutes, in may cases without parsing, and on reflection there are some absolute crackers. I’m particularly fond of 1ac, 8ac, 14 ac and 3 dn, but overall the surfaces are … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1804 by Wurm”

Hmm, a bit chewy I thought. Some of the wordplay is a little stiff for the QC, and some of the answers seemed somewhat unsatisfying, lacking the thunderbolt of certainty that a good clue gives. … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1794 by Tracy”

More tricky than average, I’d say. Took me about 8 and a half minutes. No anagrams! COD 5dn Across 1 Order ambassador to infiltrate elite (6) BEHEST – Ambassabor in crosswords is HE (his/her excellency). … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1784 by Pedro”