An absolutely first-rate puzzle to start the year. I felt smug having got the basis of the theme from the first "crowded cell" I came across along with the title, but then there was the small matter...
This has certainly been the most difficult for us this year. However, it has been so interesting and challenging that we have stayed up well after midnight (for us) to finish it, unable to leave it as...
A very clever construction form Artix. Grid fill not too difficult, but making sense of the scissor work took a little bit of thought. Other than being aware of the title, I was not familiar with the...
With quite a bit of surprise and head scratching, we have a full grid. It took a lucky early spotting of the theme to speed our solve up enormously. I thought this was quite challenging. Thank you,...
I couldn't see an earlier thread .. but I'm guessing that there must be one. A curious puzzle. Some very easy clues, but coupled with a bit of trickery. It was enjoyable, but some debate will ensue...
Quite surprised to be the first one here. A daunting preamble for sure, but I decided just to start solving and see where it got me. A lovely series of penny drops later, a satisfying solve. Thanks...
What a struggle this has been. There is so much going on in the grid that I thought the penny was never going to drop (but it just did with a clang when I read the preamble more carefully). Thank you...
Nice to have a circular one and we were given a very generous hint from the start but the very last two words we had to enter have taken almost as long as the rest of the grid fill. I have had a good...
No, I am not a genius - the simple truth is that the puzzle was put up on the Times website this morning, albeit originally without a title or setter. New theme to me, and some difficult clues, but...
A gentler test than last week, that's for sure. The penny dropped with most of the right hand side of the grid filled - a nice treatment of a familiar theme.
After quite a long grid stare the light has just dawned - with a smile, of course. When will I learn to read the preamble more carefully! We found some of Malva's clues quite a challenge but are going...
It took me a little while to spot what was needed in the top and bottom rows, but apart from that a reasonably straighforward offering from MynoT. I was lucky in getting the big word across the middle...