Category: Quick Cryptic

Morning all. I’m a bit up against it today, so have to be brief. Luckily Mara has given me an easy one. 6 Minutes, Across 7 Dog tooth (6) CANINE – doouble definition 8 Fabulous … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1284 by Mara”

Another Orpheus puzzle for me to mull over – I seem to get a lot of Orpheus (not that I am complaining!).  This one took me 12 minutes and 34 seconds, so almost exactly in … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1283 by Orpheus”

A word to solvers looking to improve Two weeks ago, I augmented the usual blog with a “deep dive” on several clues which had been suggested in the comments. I’d like to try that again, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1282 by Joker”

I feel happy to have finished a whisker inside 10 minutes for this, as it seemed sticky going in parts. My advice is, more than usual, to trust in the word play. There were a … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1281 by Hurley”

Solving time: 10 minutes. Having now written my blog I’m not sure why I needed all of my target time to solve this as in retrospect it seems pretty straightforward for  experienced solvers. Possibly some … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1280 by Tracy”

Oh my goodness. February already! Where did January go?  I’m not sure, in retrospect, why I was more than a minute slower than average on this nice quickie from Breadman today. There is nothing too … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1279 by Breadman”

I did Tuesday’s puzzle just before this and arrived at a similar time: kicking around the 15 minute mark. I confess to being a bit tipsy, but I doubt that held me up too much. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1278 by Mara”

There’s a tongue-in-cheek tone to these clues that I enjoyed a lot while solving. The surfaces readings are witty and sensible at the same time, which is the highest acheivement for a setter in my … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1277 by Marty”

I was merrily firing in the answers and found that all were complete except for 9ac in 7 minutes. For once I didn’t have too much trouble with long anagrams and even the clues that … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1276 by Izetti”

I am afraid I am still very tied up with sorting mother out after her fall, but have now thankfully got her installed back home with appropriate care. I am not even finding time for … Read more “QC 1275 by Teazel”