Category: Quick Cryptic

A bit of a slow start with 10A being my FOI, but, apart from an initial miscue at 1D, I got through this without further mishap in just over 5 minutes. A little tricky in … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1519 by Tracy”

Quite a tricky one from Pedro (although I mightn’t be in peak solving condition), holding me to the 18 minute mark. The last couple in particular (21ac and 19d) required a few minutes teasing out, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1518 by Pedro”

Happy New Year to all – I hope that 2020 brings you many PDMs and fast times. I found this tougher than average, and it took me a long while to get going. We seem … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1517 by Howzat”

I found myself diving into, then backing out of, cul-de-sacs all over the grid with a good few not fully parsed until writing up in the blog. A good challenge and a pangram to boot … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1516 by Breadman”

This was a very straightforward puzzle, but I can’t really tell you how that translates into time as I did it during a fairly chaotic interlude spent lodging with my mother while her carer was … Read more “QC 1515 by Orpheus”

Pretty straightforward today, but we have a Nina all about Little Dorrit: AMY, MARSHALSEA, french dungeon, FLINTWICHES, BLEEDING HEART, Creditor, ANTWERP, TIP, SPARKLER, stir – any more? Across 1 Girl starts off at Marshalsea yard … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1514 by Corelli”

Maybe I’m a little jaded after yesterday’s festivities, but this took me 20 minutes, well outside my target range.  Other than one slightly questionable answer (17a – see below), I can’t see any real excuse … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1513 by Orpheus”

Introduction A gentle, enjoyable puzzle for Christmas Day. I would have finished in 5:20, but couldn’t get 19 Down. I knew what was going on but simply didn’t know the word. Two minutes later, I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1512 by Wurm”

I seemed to be taking a while with all the long clues so was surprised when I had it all wrapped it all up in 8:44 with loi 3dn. A Yuletide salute to the valiant … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1511 by Teazel”

Solving time: 7 minutes. Quite straightforward I think, but we shall see what others made of it… As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1510 by Joker”