Author: william_j_s

First of all, apologies for the supremely sparse blog – it’s the result of work troubles, technical failure, and last-minuteness. I found the puzzle hard, possibly due to the aforementioned stresses, or just having an … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1047 by Teazel”

I thought there were plenty of ways in to this puzzle (through 11dn, if nothing else), but had to jump around the grid to complete it. There are some tricksy and well-hidden definitions: 6ac and … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1037 by Joker”

A puzzle of average difficulty (I predict). What it lacks in cunning, it makes up for in wit – several surfaces raised a smile (14ac, 4dn and 22dn get a mention, but especially 23ac). My … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1027 by Rongo”

This puzzle was as much fun in the unpicking as it was in the solving! It took me a bit longer than average, owing mainly to the handful of clues where my general knowledge was … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1017 by Corelli”

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”