Hello all. I doubt I’ll be alone in nominating 14a as Clue of the Day – its subject is hardly going to be outside the solver’s sphere of interest, after all! 18a was also neat, and I liked the long answers too. A happy cat (as seen today grinning in 32a) will always produce a happy Kitty, as will generally a reverse clue – and 35a was a little more interesting than standard.
Author: Kitty
Times Quick Cryptic 2225 by Joker
Hi everyone. I enjoyed this puzzle from Joker; for me it was mid-range difficulty, but I’m used to being out of step with the majority of you on that front so will await your input with interest. I particularly liked 1d. Thanks Joker!
Times Quick Cryptic 2215 by Jalna
Hello everyone. Thanks to Jalna for a puzzle which I found lots of fun and thought perfectly pitched for the slot.
Time after time, I don’t have a clear favourite to mention here, but this time I do: 17d. I also liked the gift of frilly clothing in 14a. Neither of these clues have misleading definitions, but both have delightful wordplay.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1570 – 12 August 2022. Foolish pursuits
Hi everybody. This didn’t seem hard at first, but proved to have some hidden teeth.
Times Quick Cryptic 2205 by Pedro
Hi all. Many thanks to Jackkt for covering for me while I was away.
Times Quick Cryptic 2185 by Izetti
Hello all. When possible I like to keep the setter’s identity a mystery until after solving, so I come to the puzzle without preconceptions and can guess and then check who was responsible. Today’s setter not only gave himself away courtesy of a couple of religious references, but also signed the puzzle at 11a. All good fun, for which thanks to Izetti.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1565 – 9 July 2022. Don’t go 45d in the sun, folks
Hello everyone. I hope that you have been managing to stay cool. I’ve just noticed that my last Jumbo blog was written in the last heatwave, which wasn’t as bad as this one has been. I fervently hope that in five weeks’ time I won’t be saying the same thing!
Again, no time for this as I solved when it was still far too hot and took my time over a few sessions. I didn’t have too many difficulties, but did have to trust to the wordplay in places. It’s satisfying when you can do that but still have reasonable confidence in your answers. Thanks setter!
Times Quick Cryptic 2175 by Teazel
Hi everybody. Teazel puzzles seem to invariably* hit my expected solving time, and just to fit my expectations of a Quick Cryptic generally. 15d is my pick of the clues (despite being a little deprived of snooze due to the current heatwave), but I expect a range of different favourites today. Thanks Teazel!
Times Quick Cryptic 2165 by Hurley
Hi all. I liked this offering from Hurley. There’s nothing wrong with the across clues (unless you wish to throw your dictionary at 11a in protest) but my picks today are all in the downs. The breakdown of 2d may be common enough but I thought the execution, with the twist in the tail, was deftly done. I almost always lap up a reverse clue, so 3d made me happy, and I also appreciated the Uxbridge English Dictionary nature of 12d. Thanks Hurley!
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1560 – 4 June 2022. I predict a … melting igloo
Hi everyone. I didn’t record a time for this as it was a very leisurely solve on holiday, but it felt gentle. Lots to like though and, going through it again for the blog, I was impressed by the high quality. Thanks setter!