Category: Quick Cryptic

Super-straightforward today. 8 minutes for me as a clean sweep. Slight pause at 23ac, but otherwise straight through. Across 1 Distributing stern notices brings penitence (12) CONTRITENESS – anagram (‘distributing’) of STERN NOTICES 8 Tramp … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1624 by Wurm”

A nicely accessible puzzle from Oink, which took me 14 minutes to complete.  I had to write the anagrist down before seeing the answer at 10a, but otherwise it was all plain sailing, if slightly … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1623 by Oink”

Introduction 15:59. Took longer than I’d hoped to but got tangled on 8 Down and 9 Across, where I had a wrong letter at first so nothing made sense. A hearty, enjoyable challenge. Solutions Across … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1622 by Joker”

I saw the setter’s name and took it carefully, only to gradually realise that this was one of the milder examples of the genre. I was happy to complete in a little over 9 minutes.No … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1621 by Izetti”

Solving time: 7 minutes. I thought this was easy. I hope you did too but look forward to all comments. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1620 by Orpheus”

Some people get all the fun… After the super VE Day Anniversary crossword two weeks ago, today I have the bonus of blogging a crossword from Alfie. Not a prolific setter here (under that pseudonym … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1619 by Alfie”

I had most of this polished off by the 6 minute mark, but it took almost as long again to unravel the remaining three (14ac, 22ac and 15d). A large part of that was due … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1618 by Hurley”

I thought this was kind of tricky, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of those puzzles that splits us down the middle; the more experienced solvers not really noticing the sideways, superficial … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1617 by Mara”

I particularly enjoyed this puzzle as it seemed to be that good blend of challenge and get-ability which makes a QC. There were also many smiles along the way notably 1, 9, 15, and 16 … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1616 by Wurm”

Nothing to scare the horses too much here. Inspired by Templarredux’s feat from my last blogging day, I have decided to try and do all QCs as ‘clean sweeps’, i.e. do all the clues strictly … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1615 by Tracy”