Big Dave's Crossword Blog – Page 31 – Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English

DT 31145 (Full Review)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31145

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 24th January 2026

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. A nice, lovely Saturday puzzle from NYDK that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31145 (Full Review)”

Toughie 3627

Toughie No 3627 by Django
Hints and tips by ALP

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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ****

I always enjoy a Django: fun definitions and smart wordplay. Very gentle from him today, kicking off with a straight-in Spooner that rather set the tone. No bad thing – I’ve long suspected that setting a gentle but entertaining puzzle is even harder than setting a tough one. Over to you.

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DT 31149

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31149

Hints and Tips by Senf

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ****/*****

A very good Thursday morning from Wincanton where we escaped the wrath of Storm Chandra, but only just, Yeovil about 15 miles to the SW, and beyond, did not escape.

For me, etc© (I have to say that for Terence), the Master of Brevity has given us an enjoyable puzzle which caused some pauses for thought for solving and parsing. The usual one word clues and answers in the Quickie, and an appearance of the Queen but not the sweetheart.  I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!

Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!

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DT 31148

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31148
Hints and Tips by Deansleigh

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BD Rating – Difficulty **/***  Enjoyment ****

Good morning from Hampshire, where the sun is shining again after yesterday’s deluge.  I found today’s puzzle to be quite a challenge, and it took me a while to get going, but in the end it was well worth the effort.  I especially liked 4d, and the Beatle-themed 27a and 5d, but the pick of today’s clues for me is the magnificent 19a.  Many thanks to today’s setter. Continue reading “DT 31148”

ST 3352 (Full Review)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3352

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 18th January 2026

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. A straightforward and gentle puzzle from Dada this Sunday that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and valuable feedback. Continue reading “ST 3352 (Full Review)”

Toughie 3625

Toughie No 3625 by Hudson
Hints and tips by Whybird

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***   – Enjoyment ****

Greetings from a grey, wet, windy Wirral. It is only two weeks since we had a Tuesday Hudson, so I was pleasantly surprised to see his name appear when I opened my slightly damp Dead Tree this morning. However, we have a very different beast today compared with the previous one – still a lot of fun, but a puzzle that I felt would not have been out of place later in the week (not that I am complaining).  There are a couple of gimmes to get the ball rolling, but then it is into full-on Toughie territory, with a smattering of GK that needed to be checked. The clues are all fair and clear, even if some of the parsing took a bit of effort (I’m looking at you, 1d and 12a…) and are combined with Hudson’s smooth, narrative (often deceptively so) surfaces.  With Honourable Mentions for the Italian hothead, and 17d and 20d, my podium places go to the 14a/18a double act, with 11a on the top step by a nose. 

Thank you, Hudson, for a comprehensive, but tasty, stiffener to start the week!

Please let us know how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle.

Continue reading “Toughie 3625”