Category: Quick Cryptic

Welcome to the last Quick Cryptic of 2023. It uses the horrid portcullis grid, but the puzzle is, I think, quite gentle. Thank-you Orpheus.

A fun puzzle from Pedro, pitched on the friendly side of average difficulty.

Nothing especially difficult here, just perhaps that some of the answers perhaps need a trifle more thought….

Our setter, Kenny, has put a few gold coins in the Christmas Pudding. A couple of clues were unexpected and bright but easy to break your teeth on.

Merry Christmas everyone.

This was similar to Izetti’s last for me, difficulty-wise. I think my COD is 4a, but 9a and 6d were also lots of fun. Thanks Izetti!

Nothing to scare the horses from Hurley this morning.

This puzzle struck me as quite difficult, but as I write the blog it doesn’t seem that tough. The QUITCH is over 100, but not particularly high. However, I often have difficulties with Teazel’s puzzles.

A tricky offering from Izetti, who consistently produces our harder puzzles.

A very pleasant offering from Jalna to help us get into the holiday spirit.

My solving time of 14 minutes suggests this was not entirely straightforward.