too much work today, no time for cryptic crossword solving. boo

A customer came in asking about a new book which was in last Saturday's Times. The book compares various systems e.g. housing/health/etc in different countries... he couldn't remember the author or title. And nor can I! Any ideas?

Right, Coot done. Both absolutely excellent.

Fez next… gulp!

Hello cryptic crossword fans and Unch solvers.

A favour please: if you are in touch with other solvers and cryptic people outside of Bluesky please consider spreading the word.

Thank you x

That’s a bit sketchy

That’s a fab combo. I may have to do the same later this eve!

It's going to be even worse the next time they appoint Peter Mandelson

I feel like the next 24 hours in parliament are going to be really trying for those of us who dislike the passive voice

If the past really is a foreign country I’m surprised so many right-wingers want to live there.

I think this is one of their better ones. Just quite hard if you’re not used to seeing more fanciful indicators!

Featured crossword No 9 · MyCrossword Solve Featured crossword No 9 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 30 clues by Henri. Published Mon 20 Apr 2026. Free to solve online.

I am all kinds of excited to say that my latest puzzle is the Featured Crossword on MyCrossword this week 🤩

Sample clue:

“How to front a Slade tribute band” - Observer (8)

Big thanks to @cranberryfez.bsky.social and @mycrossword.co.uk

www.mycrossword.co.uk/featured/9

#cryptic #crossword

I’ll just isle here a while

We need a chef’s kiss emoji for clues like that

According to Spooner, police in Ireland are able to knit (8)

#cryptic

Two hooded figures with lamps approach a moonlit, isolated cottage. A woman answers the door. We have come for the child, says the hooded figure So soon? she asks It is time, says the hooded figure. The woman is distraught. We should never have got him a library card! What is done cannot be undone, says the hooded figure We couldn’t see the harm! We just wanted him to enjoy reading! For most, it ends there, says the hooded figure, turning away and walking into the wilderness Oh lord, What have I done! says the woman, the child walks past her and out into the darkness with them. Do not cry mother. I am a writer now.

my latest books cartoon for @theguardian.com

Brilliant - thank you Charlie

My list of abbreviations now includes 2-letter abbreviations. I've also switched the "Usual suspects filter" to be ticked by default, but interested to see what people think of that change. As always, please let me know if you spot any errors/oversights. charliemethven.com/abbreviations

Amoeba solved, getting stuck into Coot. Absolutely loving it so far!

Odds on that definition still being correct tomorrow?

We are living in a timeline so dumb it's exhausting.

Is this real?!

“Prince of darkness” definition (from Collins dictionary) “n. Another name for Satan”

Photo of Peter Mandelson

Just a reminder of this, since many people seem to have forgotten

“Useful brain cycles” sounds like (rubbish) wordplay

Takes issue with Starmer's tone when furious? (12) #cryptic #crossword #crosswordclue

What a spot! Brilliant

Ah great

Does he ever explain why it’s an anagram indicator? Just stating that it is is bound to baffle…

(I’ve never watched the vids - so don’t know what happens in them!)

Get well soon @liari.bsky.social !

PM needs to learn about his mate (5,9)

Same!