Hello, and happy Monday everyone. I thought this a nicely pitched puzzle with plenty to amuse. How did you find it?
Author: Kitty
Times Quick Cryptic 2626 by Teazel – rated PG
Hi everybody. This felt a bit harder than usual for a Monday; it took me just under my average time for a midweek QC. It was fiddlier to write up than some too. You might expect 8a to be my COD, and why resist being predictable? I’d expect most of you to pick something else: there are other simple but effective clues to choose from, and some intricate constructions to admire if that’s more your thing. Thanks Teazel!
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1660 – 24 February 2024. D’oh! A deer!
Hi all. A DNF for me … Overall I thought there was lots of good stuff here: some nifty definitions and intricately woven wordplay. Thanks setter!
Times Quick Cryptic 2614 by Jalna – Cheers!
Hello everyone. I very much liked today’s puzzle. I don’t anticipate many protests about the difficulty and expect to see a wide selection of favourites. Thanks Jalna!
Times Quick Cryptic 2602 by Alex
Hi all. This one didn’t put up too much of a fight but did make me smile. So it’s purrs from me. I wonder what Pumpa’s verdict will be? And what did you think?
Times Quick Cryptic 2590 by Izetti – fancy that!
Hi everyone. How did you find this on the Izetti Scoville scale? For me it was mild, but then I’ve been doing these a while and may be held up by different things to you. My COD is 4d, with a mention too for 7d. Those are also the two clues featuring exclamation marks. Fancy that! Thanks Izetti!
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1655 – 20 January 2024
Hello everyone. I did this on a train journey which always makes it harder to think. After an encouraging start I ran into problems at the end. Thanks setter!
Times Quick Cryptic 2578 by Joker – swings and roundabouts
Hello all. Joker can sometimes be tricky but sometimes goes easier on the solver. For me, this came very much in the latter category. Thanks Joker!
Times Quick Cryptic 2566 by Orpheus
Hi everybody. I hope 2024 is treating you well. This puzzle certainly treated me well as I came home comfortably inside my inner target time and enjoyed the ride as usual. Thanks Orpheus!
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1650 – 26 December 2023
Hello all, and Happy New Year. I like to blog when the puzzle is fresh in my mind (which should mean doing the write up early but in practice means leaving the solve until the last minute too). Not something I managed with this one – and with all the fun and games on Boxing Day, I don’t think the puzzle was fresh in my mind even at the time! All I remember is that I found it rather tricky and did look up one or two things. Had to work quite hard to parse some of it a second time around as well. My COD is 46d, which really tickled me. Thanks setter.