Author: emu66

This seemed fairly straightforward – once I got going – and I enjoyed the amusing word breaks in 17a and 23a. A hint for new solvers – look out for words which look like linking … Read more “Quick Cryptic 514 by Flamande”

Back in tricky territory again this week, I felt. Made up a word at 1a to begin with (cellural, anyone?) and stared long and hard at 18a before realisation dawned. I knew the word play … Read more “Quick Crossword 509 by Tracy”

Some nice images conjured up in the story-telling type clues at 23a and 7d, and that ever-popular crossword meal at 22a. Checked 20a afterwards in Chambers, as I’d always thought this was ‘amend’, but turns … Read more “Quick Crossword 504 by Teazel”

Not too many hold-ups with this one, despite a deliberately unhelpful capital letter in 3d – by then I had enough checkers not to be searching for French words. Clever turn of phrase in 23a, … Read more “Quick Cryptic 499 by Hurley”

After last week’s scamper, I found this one the hardest in a long time, but perhaps others will differ! I think it was due to a number of the definitions (eg 17d, 19a) having meanings … Read more “Quick Cryptic 494 by Joker”

A little easier than recent Friday offerings, I felt, about 7 minutes for me, and no going through the alphabet to find missing words. Fortunately had most of the checkers for 17a otherwise no chance … Read more “Quick Cryptic 489 by Dazzler”

Some clever mis-directions in a number of clues this week. In 24a at first I took shock for the anagram indicator and looked for a treatment, though I don’t know why now – it’s a … Read more “Quick Crossword 484 by Tracy”

Several entertaining clues here – 10a,12a in particular. LOI propound, even after getting pro and working my way through various currencies. Wordplay in 18d perhaps a bit obscure, but I suppose one always thinks that … Read more “Quick Crossword 479 by Hawthorn”

A nice crossword to start the New Year. That popular port of crossword setters makes another appearance – is it possible to know how many times it came up in 2015? My favourite clue, 3d, … Read more “Quick Cryptic 474 by Des”

A festival of festive clues for today! I’m surprised that Santa has time in his busy schedule to set a crossword, but it’s much appreciated to get a crossword on a day with no paper.LOI … Read more “Quick Cryptic 469 by Santa”