A very enjoyable and in parts quite difficult puzzle from one of our less common setters.
Times Cryptic 29438
Very enjoyable with a few tricky words, meanings and pieces of wordplay but enough easier clues to keep things moving along.
Times 29437 – Hey there, pop pickers!
In my still somewhat drowsy post-ailment condition, this was just what the doctor ordered
Quick Cryptic 3196 by Pipsqueak
At the easier end of the range that we’ve experienced recently.
Mephisto 3410 – Pi in the sky
The trend of easier Mephisto puzzles continues, but I’m sure the trend will reverse itself shortly. I solved this one in one session on a Saturday night while waiting for George’s blog. Nearly all the words, and many of the cryptic elements, are not in any way obscure, and most of the answers were short.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5197 by David McLean — not like pulling teeth… eh?
Starting with the longer answers first, I filled in most of this rapidly… until the last handful, which took almost as long as all the rest!
Quick Cryptic 3195 by Bjorn
A fair bit of top-spin and it’s advantage Bjorn…
Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1767 – 27th December
A first Jumbo from one of our newer setters, and it’s a good one with lots of witty clues.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1766 – Bob’s Country Bunker
Just in case you’re confused about which puzzle this is, given the plethora of jumbi we had over the festive period, this is the one from Boxing Day. I found it tricky”.
Times Cryptic 29430 – Sat, 3 Jan 2026. New year, new test
I found this harder than the run of Saturdays recently. Not much that experienced solvers won’t have met before, but you’ll need to have thought about it! Thanks, setter. How did you all do? Note … Read more “Times Cryptic 29430 – Sat, 3 Jan 2026. New year, new test”