Author: Curarist

Fairly straighforward, though 16a and 7d might cause difficulty. just over 8 minutes for me Across 1 Thin tree chopped up, a number being bad (8) THIRTEEN – anagram (‘chopped up’) of THIN TREE 5 … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1574 by Joker”

Not sure what to make of this. A bit chewy in places because of some slightly stretched definitions. Can’t belive I didn’t get 20d immediately. Reasonably enjoyable overall, just over 8 minutes for me Across … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1564 by Wurm”

So 8 minutes for me. Compound anagrams are the theme of the day, plus some well-disguised hidden words. LOI 11 ac, which I spent an age staring at for no good reason. Overthinking it again, … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1554 by Breadman”

I liked this a lot, and I would say it is pitched just right for a QC. Lots of anagrams, but some with a little added complexity. My favourite is 18ac. Across 1 Turn to … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1544 by Wurm”

So, a tricky 1ac, but straightforward thereafter, loads of anagrams and double definitions. Illustrates the point that two-word clues are ALWAYS double definitions. 7 minutes for me Across 1 In the City, unfortunately, half feel … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1524 by Mara”

Pretty straightforward today, but we have a Nina all about Little Dorrit: AMY, MARSHALSEA, french dungeon, FLINTWICHES, BLEEDING HEART, Creditor, ANTWERP, TIP, SPARKLER, stir – any more? Across 1 Girl starts off at Marshalsea yard … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1514 by Corelli”

A welcome 6-minute romp for me after a bit of a late night. Not too hard but very neatly clued and thoroughly enjoyable. Contains a few of the staple niche definitions found in crosswordland, that some … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1504 by Joker”

A pleasant 6-minute solve for me. Plenty of anagrams, a couple of double definitions, and a very nice triple, too which you don’t see often in the QC. I was more thrown by the few that were … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1494 by Hurley”

Perhaps a bit chewier than recent offerings, but with a fair share of write-ins. LOI 1 dn, which I did not know. Across 1 Support friend grabbing editor to issue retractions? (4-5) BACK-PEDAL – BACK … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1484 by Rodney”

Well, the theme of today seems to be the compound anagram, 15ac, 3dn, 5dn, 16dn. Assuming that doesn’t throw you it’s a pretty straighforward offering today. I love the Dallas reference, who’s going to claim … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1474 by Felix”