Setting the scene

Shark on SHArK by Shark

Friday, November 9th, 2012

I understand that several setters create their crosswords, leave them and solve them again some time later. They then can rewrite those clues that they feel are below the mark and only then send off the puzzle for publication. I have never (more…)

2001: Imperfect Notes by Ferret

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

I love Stanley Kubrick’s films, they are visually stunning. Every frame is carefully composed and often carries deeper meaning. I saw a restored version of the film last year at the BFT and I was just as impressed in 2011 as when I had seen it as a teenager in 1968. Its ground-breaking effects earned Kubrick (more…)

Old Nit or Nun – the libellous title!!

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012

The first version of this puzzle was oh so different from the published version. I had the title Highway 61 Revisited and a 5×5 grid spaced out with arrows in between each cell. The clues gave (more…)

Sad Hummer – A Compiler’s View

Sunday, September 9th, 2012

As many Magpie solvers will realise this was a follow-on from Dumber Muzzle in Magpie 99. That was compiled in the spirit of “can it be done?”.  It had a 7×8 grid with 35 clues. The logic started in a corner and (more…)

Pyramin by Shark

Saturday, August 4th, 2012

4 years ago I was looking up magic square in Chambers and spotted magic pyramid. (more…)

Can You Do More Division? Of Course You Can!

Monday, July 9th, 2012

From the setters’ perspective

First of all apologies for this being (more…)

Cat in a box (Dull by Phi)

Thursday, May 24th, 2012

This puzzle has an involved history, much of which I’ve forgotten. I vaguely recall spotting (more…)

NEWS peak

Monday, February 6th, 2012

When I reduced working to four days a week, I planned to try my hand at compiling. This was my second attempt. (more…)

Ear, Nose and Throat II – A Setter’s Tale

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Observant Magpie solvers will have noted a number of similarities with Listener 4125 most notably the clueing style and title. (more…)

My Downfall, by Chorybdis

Friday, December 16th, 2011

Thanks to all who responded for your kind comments on “Downfall”. There were a few queries about the unusual theme, so (belatedly) I felt some kind of explanation would be justified.

The inspiration for the puzzle (more…)