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!
Author: Kitty
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!
Times Quick Cryptic 2155 by Jalna
Warm greetings from sunny Dorset, where I am staying with my friend Willow the cat and his humans.
I enjoyed this one, from the neat 1a to the smooth 19d. Lately I seem to fare better than usual with puzzles ending in 5: perhaps blogging focusses my mind. Therefore, I will just leave it to you all to report back on how you found it. Thanks Jalna!
Times Quick Cryptic 2145 by Tracy
Hi all. Tracy is a setter who can be relied upon to produce entertaining and perfectly sound easier-end puzzles. If I say that there is nothing to complain about and that the clues read smoothly it might sound like damning with faint praise. But, rest assured, I am praising.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1555 – 7 May 2022
Hello everyone. This felt like a very well balanced puzzle in terms of difficulty: the distribution of filled answers stayed even as I solved, and my pace remained steady. All very enjoyable too. Thanks setter!
Times Quick Cryptic 2135 by Orpheus
Hello hello hello, shiny happy people, and welcome to our shiny new site! (A warm welcome to matte and miserable people too, of course – I’m with you!) I am so grateful for all the brilliant work put in by the development team to bring us here.
Times Quick Cryptic 2125 by Oink
Hi everybody. I have always liked Oink’s puzzles, finding them sound, gentle and a lot of fun – everything a Quick Cryptic should be. After a good start I slowed in the SW and finished in a whisker over 6 and a half minutes, still towards the lower end of my usual time range.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1550 – 16 April 2022. So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Hi all. No time for this as I solved on my phone in bed with 40 or so winks in the middle. I thought it a brilliant puzzle with plenty of clever, cunning and well-disguised … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1550 – 16 April 2022. So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish”
Times Quick Cryptic 2115 by Teazel
Hello, I hope you had a happy Easter. This was perfectly mid-range for difficulty by my watch, and it felt that way too. Nothing to add here, but as it’s a bank holiday today I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2115 by Teazel”