Author: william_j_s

I thought this was kind of tricky, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of those puzzles that splits us down the middle; the more experienced solvers not really noticing the sideways, superficial … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1617 by Mara”

Just the one unknown meaning for me today (23ac) in an otherwise top-to-bottom solve. Definitions underlined. Across 3 Bric-a-brac mostly running wild (8) BARBARIC – anagram of (running) BRIC-A-BRAc (mostly). 7 Part of ulcer is … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1607 by Joker”

Apart from a couple of slightly unsatisfying clues in the downs (I’m looking at you 4 and 18), I found this a fair and enjoyable mid-week test. There are lots of clues with self-referential definitions … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1597 by Teazel”

A bit of a harder puzzle than of late, which I solved pretty much bacwards. The left hand side of the grid felt decidedly trickier than the right, and I ended up in the NW … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1587 by Tracy”

Very slow for me – partly because I’m a little out of practice lately, but also due to quite a lot of those crypticky sideways definitions that I’ve always been slow to twig. I probably … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1577 by Teazel”

This had a familiar feel about it mostly, perhaps because I’m finally tuning in to Orpheus’s wavelength, or perhaps because the clues are all composed of pretty standard QC fare. Apart from an unkown region … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1567 by Orpheus”

A couple of unknown meanings for me at 1ac, 14dn and 18dn meant I had to wait for a few checkers there, but otherwise a nice, workaday puzzle. Definiitons underlined. Across 1 Former pupil, retainer, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1557 by Hurley”

These are quite devious clues in which several parts have been handpicked for their ambiguity. This made for a tricky but ultimately satisfying solve. There are also some minor obscurities, but these are balanced by … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1547 by Orpheus”

A middling difficulty excursion that has only a few unusual bits. But they’re mixed in with a very healthy number of simpler ones, and they’re all clued quite transparently. If you asked my five years … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1537 by Hurley”

I had a hard time getting started, flitting around the grid, and a hard time finishing, with several gaps in my knowledge. Probably my slowest solve for a few months! Hope you found it considerably … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1527 by Tracy”