Author: TheRotter

I haven’t knowingly blogged or solved Howzat before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  However, this proved to be a gentle romp home in 10 minutes and 51 seconds, so at the easy end … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No. 1163 by Howzat”

I seem to be blogging a plethora of Mara puzzles lately, with this my third in four weeks.  No complaints though, his puzzles are always enjoyable even if at the easier end of the spectrum.  … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1153 by Mara”

No obvious hidden themes this week, after the excitement of my last blog.  This did though have a decidedly retro feel to it, with answers like 8, 10, 17, 18 across and 5, 6, 7, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1143 by Mara”

Well this felt different!  In the only previous blog I did for an Oran puzzle, I was somewhat smug about completing it in record time.  Perhaps this is Oran’s revenge? I took all of 18 … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1133 by Oran”

Well inside my harder target of 10 minutes, this took only 8 for me again this morning afer an unofficial PB yesterday, so I doubt there will be many complaints about this puzzle being too … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 1123 by Mara”

Sorry, I don’t have a time for this as I was disturbed mid-solve, but it felt relatively normal, possibly even quick for me looking back.  I had one clue where the answer appeared obvious, but … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1113 by Marty”

For the second consecutive day this consumed exactly the upper limit of my target time range (10-15 minutes) with the SW accounting for about a third of that, after I was held up in that … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1103 by Orpheus”

A plethora of geographical questions here (10, 11, 12, 22 across and 4 and 5 down), which together with some very simple hidden and other relatively easy clues made for a fast time, at least … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 1093 by Hurley”

13 minutes for this little cracker from Izetti. This does require a modicum of General Knowledge, 1a, 12a, 18a, 20a, 9d and 13d, but nothing too difficult (and well short of Teazel’s 100th on Monday!).  … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 1083 by Izetti”

Some meaty and harder to spot anagrams in this offering from Hurley.  My brain must be tuned to potential anagrams, because I see them even when they aren’t there, which can waste a lot of … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1073 by Hurley”