Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Part 4 of my blog looking at how & why cryptics work is now up at @mycrossword.co.uk: www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...

I really enjoyed today's Independent crossword set by Quince, particularly: 🎭 Quince's second part's in Hamlet – he’s playing patriarch (10) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Puzzles like this don't come along every day!

Beyond chuffed to be back in the Indy as Magus. My tin hat’s on – is yours?! Warning: hipsters lifted by US federal agents … (6) … one after another for speaking out can be put in prison (6) Trump wants one head of BBC arrested by Christmas (5) #cryptic #crossword

Irish city’s workers take indirect route? (9) Reasonable to run away (5) This and more nonsense in my puzzle in the Independent today. #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Perhaps Trump, Epstein and Andrew repeatedly stripped to get massage (9) In the Indy again, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword

We fought the greatest war in history, one that left countless millions, killed, starved, abused and traumatised precisely because idiot leaders insisted that there would be great advantages in controlling the incredible natural resources of other countries.

If you've packed the Christmas decorations away in the loft, done all the crosswords in the print media and you find yourself at a loose end, there *is* a Stamp in the Independent today. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Very happy to be back in the Independent with a crossword today. I wrote it in 2023, when the world champion at 24ac wasn’t so famous and the brothers in 21dn weren't talking! Devious new clue following edit (9) Harry owes cash for present (8) Free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

With regard to getting answers, new year, new you? (11) Setter becoming single – time to lose weight? (4) Bury playwright, Harold, without his head? (5) Dice Quiptic today 🎲🥰 Keen for these to be accessible as a next step from the Quick Cryptic, so feedback very welcome! #cryptic #crossword

It’s a dark night when you look at the news and are forced to admit that you no longer believe in the power of the FIFA peace prize

A bit of a melancholy song www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHfb...

Delighted to be back as Bard in the @the-independent.com today. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Big cheese beat restriction, having discovered tax not applicable (3,6) Very impressive bit of extreme picknicking (4) Here’s the family engaged in some extreme picknicking on Skye.

Hard on the heels of yesterday’s excitement, I’m delighted to be back in the Independent today. Clues include: At Arsenal, United fan starts to dance so wildly it makes ground shake (3,7,5) Help oneself to son’s chips (5) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I set the #cryptic #crossword in today’s The Independent. Solve it for free online here(select 11th Dec): https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent?puzzleDate=20251211

Maybe 8 out of 10 Cats ended prematurely, in for broadcast (8) It's a pleasure, as always, to set The Independent #cryptic #crossword, especially one with such a lovely palindromic number. I hope it brightens your day! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

The lovely @johnfinnemore.bsky.social (and he won’t mind me saying that as he’s not REALLY on here) has got some pallets of this diamond (by which I mean excellent and harder than rock) puzzle back from the Unbound catastrafuck. He got zero from them for reasons. buy this and he gets deserved cash!

I set today's Independent puzzle - but I won't make a song and dance about it. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Chris Lancaster, the Telegraph's puzzles editor, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year, and is fundraising for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle - please donate if you can: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

Great culture can save lives. Literally. Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

@amoebacrosswords.bsky.social Very pleased to make my debut in the Times Quick Cryptic today! Hope you enjoy it.

Just realised this is referring to a church in North Carolina and not the Welsh singer

After years of tireless work by Animals Asia, bear bile farming has now been banned in Vietnam. But around 150 bears remain trapped in tiny metal cages. Animals Asia is working with the Vietnamese government to rescue them. Please like, share, wear a tshirt. Show your support to #FreeTheFinalBears

Farage regularly perceived to possess face of one? (4) is a brilliant &lit!

It’s me in the Independent today. Sample clue: Cantankerous ill youngster straddles potty (5) You can solve this cryptic crossword FOR FREE at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

I’m back in the Indy today! Featuring: 🔴 Red, gold and brown a bit too much (6) 🎖️ Call it a day having received medal and diamonds (2,2,3) 🎵 Show Me Love, Spinning Around and Come What May? (7) Play for free here: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I've had a go at a puzzle for the American market in @avcx.bsky.social . avxwords.com. Thanks to @francisheaney.bsky.social for getting it in shape. I was advised against too much depressing reality, but was allowed one: Perhaps Trump and Musk supporting introduction of fascism (5)

The BBC are accidentally running the subtitles to Mrs Marple over the Mercury Prize, and it’s rather wonderful. A few of lines could plausibly have been written by Jarvis.

A story in three parts

Too American to lead English orchestra (4) Dwelling as The Beatles were in Hamburg? (6) I set today's Independent #cryptic #crossword. I hope it brightens your day! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

AI might have done reasonably at solving puzzles today, but it is not perfect.

I hope my faithful followers enjoy my latest cryptic, featuring: Star trio cast as double-crossers (8) Crossword setters you shouldn't have trapped in vice suffer (7) American in the way of DC hero unplugging Tesla (8) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Working at welcoming Germans in public relations exercise? (7) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword

Free to solve at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti..., sample from today's Nimrod @the-independent.com xword: Slimmed manner, not so round? (8) @derekharrison.bsky.social @timlihoreau.bsky.social @jon-summers.bsky.social @tilsit999.bsky.social @somsram.bsky.social @knutcrosswords.bsky.social

I'm back in the Indy today, with clues like: Mouthy art student is trying, to an extent (9) Solve for free here - I hope you enjoy it! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

To ‘ultra-crepidate’ (19th century) is to lecture others on subjects you know very little about.

Delighted to have compiled today's Indy puzzle. I hope you enjoy. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

It’s my puzzle in the Independent today. (Wot, no Phi? He’s back tomorrow). Clues include: Wet and cold, perhaps, one covers up at home (6) Strong birds? Turkeys and geese to name two (5) Security protecting Harris finally leaves (5) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I'm back on my childish nonsense in today's Indy. Here's one of the more sensible clues: Take remedy to keep fit (7) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Whatever happens, eviscerated Truss associated with a big lettuce (2,3,5) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword

Chuffed and amazed to be back in the Indy as Magus @ puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent *hides behind sofa* Hide from Jersey Boy’s Brothers? (8) Nick Knowles’s ultimate essential? (5) Ben & Jerry’s ice cream opened by bird (9)

I'm in the Independent again! (Bluejacket #4, 12136, Mon 1st Sep 25) 10a: Way in which we're sure to have an impact? (9,6) 16d: Huge monster returning? No thanks, I've left! (9) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I set today’s Independent #cryptic #crossword. Northern miners ultimately like somewhere to sleep, presumably? (8) https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent?puzzleDate=20250826

Perhaps his reign gets misinterpreted (9) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword

I’ve mulled over posting this for months now. But yesterday it came to a head. And I’m aware that the people who need to see it will either not be here, or will suggest that I’m lying. I live near an asylum hotel. The reason I didn’t post earlier is that I didn’t want to raise undue attention

📢 Pre-orders coming soon! We're launching a #CRYPTIC #CROSSWORD magazine! We'll be showcasing new setters as well as people already published in places like the Independent, Guardian and Telegraph. Make sure you're in the loop by signing up at unchcrosswords.com

My gift to the theme-blind today in the Independent, featuring: Give funny order to “be calm and get wine” (6) Fruit that woman fed to hawks (8) Number 1? He’s picked Pope! (8) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

It’s (not its) #InternationalApostropheDay so here’s a link to my article that discusses (amongst other things) these wee beasties and how your computer tricks you into using the wrong ones ' ’ peoplewithissues.org/what-you-key...

Structure stems from anarchy (5,4) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent #cryptic #crossword

I set today’s crossword in the Independent. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Hope you enjoy!

I set today’s cryptic crossword in the Independent. Sample clue: What’s close to eight, closer to nine, and closer to eleven too? (3) Solve it FOR FREE at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent