Author: william_j_s

A touch harder than the previous puzzles this week, but not by too much. I was slowed down by the Hampshire town and the Russian house (but not the noisy party or wine from castile… … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1077 by Flamande”

A good challenge for which I wasn’t quite on the right wavelength, so found difficult. I was saved to some extent by a number of short double definitions which put a few checkers scattered around … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1057 by Izetti”

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”