Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
It wasn’t long before I realised I was solving a Ray T puzzle. A glance at the Quick crossword confirmed my suspicions. I’m sure some will disagree, but I found this to be easier than average for this setter – perhaps it’s just that I am so used to his style.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
We have a super puzzle today to celebrate the 500th Toughie, set by the mysterious DiDi Guess (with, as is explained in the paper and on-line, the considerable assistance of eight better known setters). We are promised a breakdown of who set which clues tomorrow, so that means we have the opportunity to show how well (or badly) we recognise the characteristics of the individual setters by making educated guesses today.
As is quite usual for me I missed the theme completely until I’d finished (at least I did spot it then – I quite often miss these things altogether until somebody points them out). It’s all to do with the Roman numeral for 500.
So, let us know how you liked it and who you think set which clues and then we’ll all have a good laugh tomorrow when we find out the correct answers. I’ve put a few of my thoughts at the bottom of the review.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Today we have a solid puzzle with a fairly good mix of clue types. One clue, in particular, I found especially enjoyable – that being the one dealing with the Peers of the Realm. If it is original, I am sure many others likely enjoyed it also. If not new, then it is one to be savored by those of us relatively new to this pastime.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
Busman is expected to be among those present at the Sloggers and Betters meeting in Derby this coming Saturday. This puzzle is hardly a Toughie, but quite enjoyable nonetheless.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
We have a not-too-difficult puzzle today from a mystery setter, but with a couple of references which may cause head-scratching. After having suggested last week that few would know the name of Colin Cowdrey (and having been shot down in flames), I am reluctant to suggest that the South African golfer in 21a could cause problems for some non-golfing solvers (although he does appear in puzzles from time to time). Let us know what you thought of it in a comment.
To reveal an answer drag your cursor through the space between the brackets under the clue.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Another non too taxing, yet otherwise pleasant excursion from the Monday Maestro with a number of French references to make me happy.
If you cannot derive the answer from the hint, just highlight the space between the curly brackets.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
This puzzle from Shamus is very pleasant, but lacks the usual teeth of a Friday Toughie. Although a few of the constructs are a little harder than those found in a regular cryptic, this should be within the scope of the average solver.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
It felt a bit like being back at school doing “double science” today, but, as usual with Giovanni, the wordplay clearly points you to the answer (although I wasn’t too sure what some of the answers meant, even after consulting the dictionary!). In spite of that I did find it enjoyable – let us know what you thought of it in a comment.
To reveal an answer just highlight the space between the brackets under the clue.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***/****
A lovely treat of a crossword from Cephas today so a big thank you to him. Didn’t mind that I solved it quickly because I knew I was going to enjoy it all over again doing this review. I had lots of favourite clues so have marked them in blue.