I quite liked this overall: there were some weaker clues but also quite a few that I really loved. 6ac is really good, as were 4dn and 5dn. This was also a puzzle wherein a … Read more “Times 28,391: Now NOBODY In A Times Crossword Is Still Living :(“
Author: Verlaine
Monthly Club Special 20,263: Not To Be Confused With Tiny Paul Rudd
After a too-swiftly-dispatched Friday 15×15, it was great to have this beast to entertainingly fill up the rest of the half-hour. I was repeatedly delighted by the audacity and elan, especially the numerous times the … Read more “Monthly Club Special 20,263: Not To Be Confused With Tiny Paul Rudd”
Times 28,385: Atlas Shrugged
I did this in under 5 minutes, so no matter how much I enjoyed some of the clues I am duty-bound to call into question its Fridayishness. And I *did* enjoy the cluing: fun definition … Read more “Times 28,385: Atlas Shrugged”
Times 28,379: Safe As Houses
I found this chewy enough at time of solving, with the bottom half in particular taking a while to yield up its secrets, but parsing it I don’t see anything that looks too advanced, in … Read more “Times 28,379: Safe As Houses”
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1569: Zut Alors!
Pretty much the best Jumbo I can recall in recent times, with loads of truly devious stuff intricately clued. I loved a lot of the hard-to-spot definition parts: takes orders from, fancy that’s wrong, drive … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1569: Zut Alors!”
Times 28,373: I Sukkot Solving
ETA: There is a Nina in here which I hadn’t noticed at all until pointed out to me! Check out columns 1, 3, 6 and 12. A good ‘un, this, that kept me thinking pretty … Read more “Times 28,373: I Sukkot Solving”
Times 28,367: Bible Studies
Woof, this was good and Friday, with a load of clues requiring us to work for our supper. I spent a long time at the end trying to fathom the brilliantly opaque 1ac, and then … Read more “Times 28,367: Bible Studies”
Times 28,361: Less Is More
I liked this although it’s a really odd puzzle: incredibly spare, with the number of clues comprising 5 or fewer words numbering in the double figures; more double definitions than I think I’ve ever seen … Read more “Times 28,361: Less Is More”
Monthly Club Special 20,262: The Compleat Solver
Great puzzle, above-averagely clever things to enjoy in almost every single clue, and some valuable new additions to anyone’s vocabulary. I think my COM might be 4dn, where “unfencing” the yard is a very neat … Read more “Monthly Club Special 20,262: The Compleat Solver”
Times 28,355: Don’t Hold Your Breath While Solving This Puzzle
I thought this was just the ticket for a Friday, full of actually educational moments – I’d never heard of 10ac, and that was far from the only thing with an exotic/international feel in this … Read more “Times 28,355: Don’t Hold Your Breath While Solving This Puzzle”