Category: Weekend Cryptic

I was puzzled by a few of the anagram indicators here. I eventually realised what was happening in 10ac, but I made a note of 6dn, to check whether that one is on anyone’s list of anagram words! A good amount of head-scratching here, but all done, even if a bit slowly.

9:42. Another very entertaining puzzle from Robert. I had a couple of quibbles, one of which (3ac) I managed to resolve for myself, the other (16dn) still seems questionable to me. I’d be interested to … Read more “Sunday Times 5050 by Robert Price – elementary”

I loved the Churchilllian reference at 15ac. Clearly the clue of the day.

This puzzle was out of this world! Seriously, I really enjoyed it, and pun intended.

Much to like this week. Answers went in quickly, until I slowed down in the NE corner. My LOI, and also my COD, was 7dn with its clever reference to Washington DC. Exceptional!

11:19. Not a terribly difficult puzzle but highly enjoyable.

Today’s setter did some delightful “sleight of hand” with words that deceived the solver. The definitions in 12d and 14d looked like something entirely different; I smiled at mention of the playmaker in 17d too.

This was all solved at a steady and unhurried pace. No mysteries remaining, but I wouldn’t exactly call the ratiocination required “elementary,” my dear reader.

I got through this relatively quickly, until I found myself staring at 9dn wondering what could possibly fit there. Eventually, the crossers suggested the relevant comic book hero, and presto!

17:23. A tricky one from Dean this week, with a smattering of slightly odd or obscure references that gave it a quirky feel and a few really first-class surface readings. Definitions are underlined, anagrams indicated … Read more “Sunday Times 5046 by Dean Mayer”