Author: oliviarhinebeck

A highly entertaining puzzle with excellent surfaces that made for some enjoyably surreal associations of ideas and images.  I’d put this squarely on the harder end of the scale – around 10 for me.    A … Read more “Quick Cryptic 503 By Tracy”

A well-composed puzzle with some very neatly turned clues.  Nothing obscure or unfair.  Yes, that’s still me, except that it isn’t of course. Just for some variety I’m ringing the changes with my userpics between … Read more “Quick Cryptic 498 by Orpheus”

The setter in playful mode.  Some truly excellent clues and some on the harder end of the QCs.  Sometimes you just have to slug it out, but this is one where a sort of semi-disciplined … Read more “Quick Cryptic 493 by Mara. The wordplay’s the thing.”

Another well-composed puzzle.  A smattering of crossword conventions to be noted – the kind that old-timers take for granted. The two long struts at 2 and 5 down are a big help if you can … Read more “Quick Cryptic 488 by Flamande”

For me this was the trickiest of the most recent puzzles and took me about 7 minutes.  With this one, however, it would be worthwhile to forget solving speed and savour a demonstration of the … Read more “Quick cryptic 483 by Joker”

Very good workmanlike puzzle.  Nothing specially noteworthy, although 18a was nicely disguised (it took some passes before I spotted it).  And 22a was well hidden.  No I certainly didn’t know the Korean money so I … Read more “Quick Cryptic 478 by Hurley. It’s all Greek to me.”

Ding dong – no not merrily on high, but get me to Brooklyn Borough Hall on time.  My younger daughter is getting married in the morning.  That’s the way to ring out the old!  I’ll … Read more “Quick Cryptic 473 by Orpheus. A Very Happy 2016 to All.”

It’s going up to 72F (sorry, we don’t do centigrade in NYC) today so it’s not very seasonal really.  I’ll be on this gig for the next few months and so will have time to … Read more “Quick cryptic 468 by Izzetti. Tis the Season.”