Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
There are two French phrases in this one, which may re-open the debate about how legitimate this is – feel free to contribute your views via a comment. There are also several obscure (to me anyway) words included, but you would not want a Toughie to be too easy would you? On the plus side it contains several very entertaining clues and I enjoyed it.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
An easy but pleasant puzzle, with a strong feeling of déjà vu about some of the clues.
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Another excellent puzzle from one of the Tougher setters. A handful of easier clues, then you have to work hard to get the rest. Continue reading “Toughie 156”
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Sitting in the garden with a long cool drink on a hot Summer’s day and doing gentle battle with a cryptic crossword – what more could you ask for? I thought that the clues in this one got better towards the end, with the last few down ones being excellent – or was it that the contents of my long cool drink were gradually taking effect?
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Another pleasant start to the week from the Monday Maestro. Nothing terribly demanding and the usual mix of clues to encourage the newer recruits to the Cryptic World. I feel the puzzle gets off to a bit of a shaky start with the first few clues, but then gets into its stride and delivers what we expect on a Monday.
The spaces between the curly brackets hide the answer, and highlighting that space will reveal it. As usual, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the puzzle. Don’t be afraid, you’re among friends! If it’s your first time posting, it can take a little while for your post to appear, as first posts are always moderated to prevent spammers, but don’t let that put you off.
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A sunny puzzle for a sunny Sunday!
For the weekend prize crosswords I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them. A full analysis of this puzzle will be available at 12.00 next Friday, 5th June.
Some hints to get you started:
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
An altogether better puzzle this week, albeit a little easier than last week. The handful of proper nouns are clued reasonably well, and I quite liked the unusual grid.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them. Peter Biddlecombe’s full review of this puzzle will be published at 12.00 on Thursday, 4th June.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
This one was a bit of a stroll in the park. It was still enjoyable, but I do prefer my puzzles to be a bit harder than this was.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
When you see Elgar’s name you know you are in for a difficult time. This one is certainly no exception. There were a mere handful of relatively easy clues, and some where, despite getting the answer, I have struggled to get all of the wordplay. If you have seen anything that I missed, please add a comment.
Elgar was at the Sloggers and Betters evening last week, but he didn’t warn me that this one was in the pipeline.
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A nice easy start with simple anagrams at 1a and 2d and then it got a bit more complicated… it also helps if you get 13a early on, as the “four cornery” feel to the crossword, needs the checking letters from this one to make life a bit easier. Otherwise, some excellent clues, and a well thought out and crafted crossword.