A couple of unknown words, a couple of unexpected hyphens, and a questionable definition in an enjoyable puzzle without much in the way of 2Ds. Solving time: 21m26 * = anagram, dd = double definition, … Read more “Jumbo 1200”
Author: mohn2
Quick Cryptic 545 by Teazel
It took me a while to get going on this one, with several of the across clues in particular bringing nothing to mind on first reading. Looking back, I’m not sure why that was but … Read more “Quick Cryptic 545 by Teazel”
Quick Cryptic 535 by Grumpy
Nothing particularly taxing about this one with my only pause at 3D, where the wordplay was clear enough even if the answer wasn’t familiar to me. So thanks to Grumpy for a gentle start to … Read more “Quick Cryptic 535 by Grumpy”
Jumbo 1195
A rare (for me) sub-10m solve for this one, suggesting it was at the easy end of the difficulty spectrum, though no less enjoyable for that. My unknowns (e.g. the Dickensian heroine in 26A) all … Read more “Jumbo 1195”
Quick Cryptic 525 by Dazzler
A pleasant solve from Dazzler today, with no obscurities and some nice surfaces. Unfortunately I think this setter died in December of last year so regrettably we will only have a few more of his … Read more “Quick Cryptic 525 by Dazzler”
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword Book 13 – Puzzle Index
Here is an index mapping the puzzles in Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword Book 13 to the corresponding blogs on TftT. This book contains puzzles from 2010. The editor at the time was Richard Browne, and … Read more “Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword Book 13 – Puzzle Index”
Quick Cryptic 515 by Pedro
A happy birthday to all you leaplings. A generally straightforward puzzle from Pedro today with just a couple of clues (e.g. 1A, 8A) requiring a bit of head-scratching/eye-narrowing/lip-pursing. The crossword can be found here if … Read more “Quick Cryptic 515 by Pedro”
Quick Cryptic 505 by Orpheus
An offering of average difficulty from this setter, with a few gimmes (e.g. 21A) and the lesser known words (e.g. 11A) all with clear wordplay. A pleasant start to the week – thanks Orpheus. The … Read more “Quick Cryptic 505 by Orpheus”
Jumbo 1190
A gentle offering this week, with the unknowns (for me) clued with little ambiguity. Solving time: 14m 49s * = anagram, {} = omission Across 1 WITH-PROFITS – PROF (Top academic) in WIT (intelligence) + … Read more “Jumbo 1190”
Quick Cryptic 495 by Izetti
A tricky one from Izetti today. I generally attempt to solve the Quickies in clue order – this puzzle required several passes before 7D and (less explicably) 14A yielded. Though my track record of predictions … Read more “Quick Cryptic 495 by Izetti”