Author: william_j_s

An enjoyable crossword with just a touch of challenge in the right places. I learnt some new vocabulary through very fairly crafted wordplay, which is always nice. I though 23ac was fun; not a device … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 487 by Teazel”

I don’t think we’ve had one from Pelmas before, but hope to see him/her appear more often because I enjoyed this puzzle. I little harder than average perhaps? I thought 17ac and 23ac were excellent, … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 477 by Pelmas”

Nice crossword with many examples of the vocabulary found more often here than anywhere else. Some good charades, a dose of wit, and two deceptive hidden words! Definitions underlined. 7 French citizen getting level with … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 467 by Felix”

A proper laugh-out-load crossword with many of those penny dropping moments. Easily my favourite for some time. No obscure vocabulary, but plenty of deceptive wordplay and wit. Thank you, Grumpy. Due to my not being … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 457 by Grumpy”

A nice, straightforward crossword. Even including some unknown references (as the spy and the poet were to me) it should not take so long to solve that fun gives way to inconvenience. Definitions underlined. 1 … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 447 by Flamande”

Well, nowhere near as difficult as yesterday’s but Tracy had me stumbling over several clues. Unknowns (golf clubs, plants) aside, even the charades, where all I had to do was put words and synonyms in … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 437 by Tracy”

I struggled with this one much more than usual. The type of legal hearing was new to me, and I was on a very different wavelength at 5dn and 19dn, which all held me up. … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 427 by Hurley”

A brief blog due to lack of time this morning. I struggled to get into this one (1ac requiring all the checkers, and not seeing 3dn for the longest of times). Plenty to get your … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 417 by Orpheus”

A nice variety of clues including more than the usual number of homophones and many classic devices. I though this was going to go in a flash, but I definitely slowed down in the bottom … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 407 by Joker”

Following the quick entry of 6dn (in this unusual grid) there were no hold-ups until my last one in – 7dn. Fairly straightforward then, but entertaining. I especially liked the translation from possession (in the … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 397 by Rongo”