Coot

S&B2026: a selection of soon-to-be-unemployed @the-independent.com cryptic crossword setters. 😠

Branch without the first letter - ranch? (3) I set today’s Independent crossword, honouring Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. Find it here - puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

Ruin a book by adding a word Murder most cryptic crosswords No such thing as bad publicity @alyseliza.bsky.social!

I’ll stream this at 11:00 UK time. URL to follow. #QT https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:47xm32jlcox53kdy3n67p7rm/post/3mxdteapaxc2m @coot.bsky.social

Heron is back in the Times Quick Cryptic today, do pop in for a look!

There’s a puzzle within my (quite probably last) Independent puzzle today. Sample clues: Furtive latte arranged during fling (8) Hope wife’s left note of reservation (3) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

In today's post, we discuss The Independent's cryptic crossword and spread the word about attempts to save it from cancellation! puzzculture.com/2026/10/01/h...

See Eimi's comment at #152. fifteensquared.net/2026/09/21/i...

If it wasn’t anonymous, I might mention that I set today’s Times cryptic crossword. Clues include: Teenagers pong excessively, but only a fraction wash (6) Compiler’s current cracking standard to worsen? (6) #cryptic #crossword

If that wasn’t enough, my friendly, feathered alter ego, Loon, makes another appearance in the Times Quick Cryptic slot: Welcome rum during drunken yoga (4,3) #cryptic #crossword

Delighted to be back in the Independent today. Clues includes: Make a mess of power grab acquiring fashion brand (4,2) Eric and Ernie wanted this star to excel (8) Sir Elton abandons husband in favour of American woman (4) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Howdy #scicomm 🧪 folks! I'm offering a new online workshop called "introduction to design skills for communicating research" on Zoom on the 23rd September 1-5pm BST. Details here: www.infohackit.com/intro-to-des... Shares appreciated!

Lost garden gnome finally extracted from shopping centre and returned first-class (7) From my cryptic crossword in the FT today. Solve it FREE at ft.com/crosswordapp or print it out at ft.com/crossword

Are any of them simples?

State in which The Departed is set (5,6) From my cryptic crossword in today’s FT. Do it FOR FREE at ft.com/crosswordapp or print it out at ft.com/crossword

I’m delighted to be back in the Independent today. Clues include: Urge to bed emoji? (8) Lunchbox cover located by staff (7) With a C but no L or E, Wordle could be CRUSH (5) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Something for the weekend? I have it on good authority* that today’s Times Jumbo is marvellous** *mine **serviceable

Delightful puzzle - highly recommended 👏

Delighted to be making my debut as Flush in the Independent today! 😄 Sample clues include: - Social pint I arranged for elected officials (11) - Row with son over right way to bond (7) - Body temperature, roughly (5) Hope you enjoy! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Excellent taste!

Bear snarled with fury for four weeks or more (8) Part of my cryptic crossword for the FT today. Solve it at ft.com/crosswordapp or print it out at ft.com/crossword

Self-driving car that is made to leave, leaves (4) From today’s cryptic crossword for The Independent, by me, at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent PS There is a ghost theme

Doing my best London bus impression today having set both the Times cryptic and (as Loon) the Quick Cryptic! #cryptic #crossword

Delighted to be back in the Independent for theme day. Clues include: Playing Quidditch one needs such courage (5) Mum’s mum admits defeat (5) Delap’s last long throw (5) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Sssssuper to be returning as Bard in @the-independent.com today. Featuring: Sewers and streams broadcast – ssssssssssss? (12) Banshee pledging to give sanctuary to those easily led (6) Free to solve here: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Nearly 3 months since my last puzzle on MyCrossword, so here’s a quick one: Partners in possession of only kinky underwear (6) Brothel worker with a customer, initially inside, surface outside (7) Thanks as always to @mycrossword.co.uk #cryptic #crossword www.mycrossword.co.uk/quick/401

Oscar? He writes plays in a different way (9) From my cryptic crossword in today's FT, at ft.com/crosswordapp, or print it out at ft.com/crossword

Dessert? Fine, but no starter (3) From my cryptic crossword in the Independent today puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I’m back in the Independent today with a puzzle that includes: What I’m doing next … taking a lot of medication (9) I envy teacher’s wild leaning towards infidelity (5-4,4) Where we see Mike in the grip of drunken revellers? (7) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Tango returns to the Times QC today - I hope you enjoy it! Sample clue: Foolishly ignore old punter? (9)

I set today's Independent #cryptic #crossword. Featuring sophisticated clues like... Where you'll find Douglas bonking Alf and Simone? (4,2,3) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I have a new puzzle out in the Indy. Hope you enjoy! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Following regular rejections, client with cute bum leaves (7) Part of today’s FT puzzle by me at ft.com/crosswordapp, or print it out at ft.com/crossword

I’m delighted to be back in the Independent today. Clues include: Energy vital if expecting cuddles (4) Handle wiping the backside of Robbie Savage (4) Unblemished and trusted student about to suffer a setback (7) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Does bum express pong escaping trousers? (7) From today’s Indy cryptic, the unmissable #12345! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

Tasty episode #OffGridPod

What makes a man? Being treated with regard? (11) From today’s FT puzzle by me at ft.com/crosswordapp Or print it out at ft.com/crossword

I’m pleased to report that Loon, my friendly, feathered alter ego, makes another appearance in the Times Quick Cryptic slot today. Sample clue: Reputedly boring individual teaches ceramicist (12) #cryptic #crossword

I had a lot of fun researching some tasty facts for The General to feed into the latest episode of #OffGridPod offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/04/26/e...

It's the last Sunday of the month. It's lunchtime. It's CRACKERJA— er, no, I mean #OffGridPod at offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/04/26/e...

I had a lot of fun researching some tasty facts for The General to feed into the latest episode of #OffGridPod offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/04/26/e...

Delighted to be back in the Independent today. Liberal spreading often a good thing for soil (5) The Mrs and I disturbed people seeking peace and quiet (7) Bits of information on European country written by local (9) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

After solving a couple of clues, it’s time for a nap

I'm delighted to be making my debut in the Independent today as Nepeta. Sample clues: Raunchy trio stripped naked (6) Almost complete abstainer from pork eating English breakfast (6) Side roads backed up after abattoir evacuated (7) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

👀

Custom-made for film fans— suitable for all 🍿

OK everyone - we have a cover sorted out and pre-sales are open! Roll up and buy one now at unchcrosswords.com Please do repost and share where you can, I'm really keen to get these excellent puzzles in front of as many people as possible...

Just published a new puzzle on MyCrossword which might have special interest for some of you. Always hoping to do better next time, so can I entice anyone with time and interest into doing an occasional test solve for me - happily return favour if wanted. Cryptic crossword No 3,249 · MyCrossword