Author: william_j_s

A relativley rare offering from Jalna, and the first one of theirs I’ve blogged. It did feel a little different, although I don’t subscribe to the idea that a setter’s style reliably gives them away, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1757 by Jalna”

DNF after staring at 2dn for a couple of minutes then giving up. I usually talk myself out of giving up when thinking that it’s a word I just don’t know, as that’s quite unusual … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1747 by Joker”

Nice and easy. Only the SW put up a little resistance, and I had to guess the first meaning at 21dn. Definitions underlined. Across 1 Comedian in panic, I’m occasionally laid back (5) COMIC – … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1737 by Mara”

An abundance of cleverly hidden answers, great anagrams and a touch of inventiveness, so there’s lots to enjoy. I never got into the flow, however, and had to ‘start again’ with an unchecked word a … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1727 by Mara”

Not the easiest Izetti, in that I needed to look twice at several of these before cottoning on, and didn’t feel confident enough at any point to do much biffing (I did biff 12dn, though, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1717 by Izetti”

Nice puzzle – average time. Following on from yesterday’s Japanese poetry lesson, I was forced to guess a bit more general knowledge today (18ac, 20ac), and I was slow to think of the required woman … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1707 by Orpheus”

It’s been a while since I blogged an Izetti*, and I solved this one without knowing the setter’s identity (on my phone). I should have guessed, but missed the trademark religious reference (4dn today, I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1697 by Izetti”

I raced through this one, helped by plenty of double definitions and opportunities to biff. I did pause on blogging at 16dn thinking that some double duty was afoot, and at 5dn wondering if the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1687 by Mara”

I was told when starting crosswords that The Times was perhaps not the best to cut your teeth on (but obviously the superior puzzle), and if you’re starting out with this tricky little number, I’ll … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1677 by Izetti”

Not my fastest time for an Oink, but I can’t tell if that’s the result of me being offline for a week or so, or if it’s really a tester. I put my LOI 22ac … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1667 by Oink”