Once again the best cryptic workout of the month, because biffability has been all but subtracted from the equation – if you could readily define more than half a dozen of these words without resort … Read more “Monthly Club Special 20,237: I Fought Scots Law, And Scots Law Won”
Author: Verlaine
Times 27,701: 18dn Amazeballs
Once again it feels a bit like the Thursday and Friday puzzles may have been swapped around by a CARELESS EDITOR, but this wasn’t too bad considering, with a couple of fun traps that I … Read more “Times 27,701: 18dn Amazeballs”
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1444: In Which Moustachios Are Twirled
I found this quite challenging and there were some rather brilliant feats of cluing, in particular the breaking down and reconstructions of words such as 33dn and especially my LOI (by a mile) and COD … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1444: In Which Moustachios Are Twirled”
Times 27,695: Drowning By Numbers
Well this was a belter – a proper Friday challenge in every way, but ALSO a pangram and ALSO containing every cardinal number from ZERO to TEN hidden in the answers. Perhaps the setter was … Read more “Times 27,695: Drowning By Numbers”
Times 27,689: A 1ac, a 1dn and a 5dn walk into two hostelries…
After a couple of weeks of verdurous green as far as the eye can see over at the Crossword Snitch, I was naturally hoping that this would be the day that the Thunderer would come … Read more “Times 27,689: A 1ac, a 1dn and a 5dn walk into two hostelries…”
Times 27,683: The Teeth Of God Grind Slowly, But They Grind Exceeding Small
I found this adequately challenging in the solving – nothing equiterrible, but certainly some twists and turns to negotiate – but a little disappointing to write up the parsings for, with an array of what … Read more “Times 27,683: The Teeth Of God Grind Slowly, But They Grind Exceeding Small”
Monthly Club Special 20,236: Oh Stewardess? I Speak 24D
I found this quite hard work overall, despite a fair proportion of straightforward clues in the mix: there were a few real stinkers to balance them out, of which LOI 12dn was the ringleader. COD … Read more “Monthly Club Special 20,236: Oh Stewardess? I Speak 24D”
Times 27,677: Put Through Our Paces
No complaints from me at all this Friday, though perhaps I have been softened up by being 7.4 miles away from 1dn as the birdman flies, as I type (or perhaps 5dn?) this. Great crossword … Read more “Times 27,677: Put Through Our Paces”
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1439: All Moustache And No Top Hat
Sorry this is a little late – the recent spate of Bank Holidays have discombobulated me quite. Found this quite enjoyable to write up the parsings for, thank you setter! While I quite enjoyed the … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1439: All Moustache And No Top Hat”
Times 27,671: I Slept, And Dreamt That Life Was Beauty…
Friday-acceptable without being the sternest challenge of the week – I’ve got my eye on you, Mr Rogan, and your Friday-disrespecting ways. Anyway there are two really good lift-and-separates in here, some well-judged definitions, and … Read more “Times 27,671: I Slept, And Dreamt That Life Was Beauty…”