Category: Quick Cryptic

Nice and easy. Only the SW put up a little resistance, and I had to guess the first meaning at 21dn. Definitions underlined. Across 1 Comedian in panic, I’m occasionally laid back (5) COMIC – … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1737 by Mara”

A cracking QC from Joker. Quick – the clock stopped at 7:57. It seemed that I’d flown through this – occasionally only having a passing acquaintance with the parsing. Some great clues which I’ve relished … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1736 by Joker”

Back again this week after missing my slot two weeks ago. Many thanks to jackkt who sat in for me. The reason for my absence was the untimely death of my mother. I honestly do … Read more “QC 1735 by Breadman”

I found this relatively straightforward. Rather a lot of multi-word double definitions. I enjoyed 3d and 5d, and got tripped up by 2d. I came in at c. 8 min. Across 1 Take foolish risks … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1734 by Tracy”

An interesting challenge from Wurm that took nearly all of my 15-minute target to complete.  I came across a full mix of clue types, with some novel devices and anagram indicators.  My Clue of the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1733 by Wurm”

Introduction 8:01, with several minutes spent on 16 Across. Newer solvers are invited to browse the glossary presented after the solutions. Solutions Across 1 Dish: take hearts of some eels, feta and stew (8) OMELETTE … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1732 by Joker”

I found several points of interest, which extended my time, in this otherwise eminently biffable puzzle. Mistyping 5dn didn’t help at all, so to still come inside 10 minutes means there were plenty of easy … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1731 by Hurley”

I needed 13 minutes to crack this one and my first reaction on completion was to write ‘hard’ on my print-out, however having written the blog I have no idea what delayed me, as on … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1730 by Teazel”

A bit of a tester to finish the week from Felix, I think. I was held up at the end by my LOI 1A, not knowing the Dickensian character despite the hint in another clue. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1729 by Felix”

I’d say this was pitched at middling difficulty today from Orpheus, but I was held to two minutes over target with a tip-of-the-tongue moment (or two) at 20ac and then a longer pause at the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1728 by Orpheus”