Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Why not have a go at our latest Monthly Prize Puzzle?
The winner will receive their choice of any of the Telegraph Crossword Books published by Hamlyn.
Please note that, due to punitive postal charges, while the competition is open to all, the prize is only available to UK solvers.
A review will follow after the closing date (21st February 2015).
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + –
Despite BD reminding people to read the instructions very carefully, over 60% of the entries had an incorrect answer to this month’s ‘question’: “Seven answers (clued normally) form a series from which a name is missing. Solvers should provide the missing name”. The series was, of course, English royal dynasties and the missing one was SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA – the correct entry drawn out of the electronic ‘hat’ came from someone well known to fans of Rookie Corner – Beet. Congratulations to her, she wins a choice of Telegraph puzzle books published by Hamlyn.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Why not have a go at our latest Monthly Prize Puzzle?
The winner will receive their choice of any of the Telegraph Crossword Books published by Hamlyn.
Please note that, due to punitive postal charges, while the competition is open to all, the prize is only available to UK solvers.
A review will follow after the closing date (15th November 2014).
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + –
Congratulations to Rob Ford who was the winner of this month’s prize puzzle and wins a copy of recently published 13th edition of the Chambers Dictionary.
The question to be answered by solving this month’s crossword was “Eight consecutive answers form a pun on a famous song. Who had a hit with the original version?”
Starting at 9 Across – YEW PICTURE FIN THYME TWO LEAVED MEAL LOOSE HEEL can, if you say it correctly, sound like the song title “You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille’ which was originally a hit for Kenny Rogers.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Why not have a go at our latest Monthly Prize Puzzle? The winner will receive a copy of Chambers Dictionary (13th Edition) kindly donated by the publisher.
Please note that, due to punitive postal charges, while the competition is open to all, the prize is only available to UK solvers.
A review will follow after the closing date (16th August 2014).
Reviewed by crypticsue
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Congratulations to Milvus who solved this fine crossword (I thought there were some lovely surface readings) and then spotted “the who, where and with what” needed to solve the mystery and enter the competition, winning a choice of Hamlyn Telegraph puzzle books. If you still haven’t solved the crime, there is a handy grid at the bottom of this review which reveals all.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Why not have a go at our latest Monthly Prize Puzzle? The winner will receive their choice of any of the Telegraph Crossword Books published by Hamlyn.
Please note that, due to punitive postal charges, while the competition is open to all, the prize is only available to UK solvers.
A review will follow after the closing date (19th April 2014).
Reviewed by crypticsue
– + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Interesting that one of the simplest questions ever posed in the Monthly Prize Puzzle series, requiring no arcane knowledge, geographical, mathematical or language skills, just the ability to spot that the initial letter of each clue told you where to look, should prove so tricky for many solvers! If you didn’t ‘see’ it, I will let you have time to put your shin pads on (as it will hurt when you kick yourself), and reveal all in a grid at the end of the review.
Congratulations to Kiwi Colin who wins a copy of The Telegraph Centenary Crossword Collection, an extra special prize which BD will endeavour to get to him. The book was kindly donated by Phil McNeill, the Telegraph Puzzles Editor, and has been signed by Phil and six of the Telegraph setters who are featured in the book (Elgar, Roger Squires/Rufus, Micawber, Peter Chamberlain/Cephas, Notabilis and Don Manley/Giovanni).
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Why not have a go at our latest Monthly Prize Puzzle? The winner will receive a copy of The Telegraph Centenary Crossword Collection, kindly donated by Phil McNeill, the Telegraph Puzzles Editor, and signed by Phil and six of the Telegraph setters who are featured in the book (Elgar, Roger Squires/Rufus, Micawber, Peter Chamberlain/Cephas, Notabilis and Don Manley/Giovanni).
Please note that, due to punitive postal charges, while the competition is open to all, the prize is only available to UK solvers.
A review will follow after the closing date (18th January 2014).
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Dave Howell is having quite a weekend. Not only did he finish in fourth place in the Times Crossword Championships, he has today become the first person to win our Monthly Prize Puzzle Competition for the second time. He solved the puzzle and then spotted that the football team Charlton Athletic was hidden in the solution. If you couldn’t find it, have a look at the grid at the end of the review.
This month’s prize is an extra special treat – a copy of Mick Twister’s There Was an Old Geezer Called Caesar: A History of the World in 100 Limericks kindly donated by Tilsit and signed by the author.
