Author: william_j_s

I tripped myself up several times with this tricky little puzzle, what with some unfamiliar vocabulary and a smidgen of deviousness, ending up with one incorrect (I had O for A in 8dn). Quite satisfied … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1007 by Flamande”

A lovely well-pitched puzzle from Mara today – thanks! Despite having to quickly rectify biffing CAN at 18ac, nothing had me pulling my hair out or reaching for the dictionary. Particular applause for 20dn: the … Read more “Quick Cryptic 997 by Mara”

A neat and entertaining puzzle from Mara this morning, with no hold-ups or unfamiliar vocabulary. Thanks to our setter. Definitions underlined. Across 1 Hanger-on, where jumping soldiers found? (8) PARASITE – cryptic definition. One might … Read more “Quick Cryptic 987 by Mara”

An eminently completable crossword, but not without its various traps and difficulties if you’re a beginner. Apart from the unknown boat at 11ac and an unusual synonym for drunk (isn’t it amazing how many there … Read more “Quick Cryptic 967 by Pedro”

Two early unknowns (1ac and 2dn (I was sure it would be Qatar) put me off to begin with, but the rest was straightforward and fair. I liked 6dn for the unlikelihood of medium-sized reversals … Read more “Quick Cryptic 957 by Flamande”

Of course, part of me hopes that you all sailed through this without a second thought, but the other part hopes I’m not faced with the humiliation of across-the-board sub-10 minute solves this morning, because … Read more “Quick Cryptic 947 by Orpheus”

If, like me, you learnt something new (20ac), had to scratch your head a bit (15ac), and marvelled at the craft (12ac and 3dn, my COD) you’ll have enjoyed this well enough. Or perhaps the … Read more “Quick Cryptic 932 by Hawthorn”

Not as difficult as yesterday’s, but I think this is just on the trickier side of things. I can’t blame any unusual vocabulary or general knowledge required (of which there is little), so I’m left … Read more “Quick Cryptic 927 by Howzat”

I had most of this done very quickly and on first pass, but couldn’t see the wood for the trees at 15dn and a handful of other clues. Eventually reflecting on an average time, I … Read more “Quick Cryptic 917 by Pedro”

A tricky quickie, with many unusual synonyms playing a role in both cryptic and definition parts of the clue. I was very slow to fill in the right hand side, and discovered two errors (!) … Read more “Quick Cryptic 907 by Teazel”