Fraser Simpson's Weekly Cryptic in The Globe & Mail

[mokelfish]

Thanks to Press Reader, I am now able to access this fun/clever Canadian cryptic, which I feel is on par with the weekly Hex cryptic. Fraser Simpson is unique in the fact that he never uses connector words in between the definition and wordplay. He also uses the letterbank clue that is more popular in U.S. cryptics, as well as a couple of Canadian/British references. I'll (temporarily) share his puzzles from the past two weeks, and hope you'll check them out!

01/15/22

01/22/22

[oldjudge]

Thanks Michael! Btw, I enjoyed the Anagram Acrostic #1: Imbued that you constructed.

[mokelfish]

Thanks! I thought it was a fun format.

[oldjudge]

Did the 1/22 cryptic first—really a good puzzle. I have to admit that one Canadian related clue threw me for a loop but the rest was pretty straightforward.

[mokelfish]

Do you mean 10 across? RED ENSIGN

I had to look that one up for sure. Interesting fact though.

[oldjudge]

Yes 10A was the culprit. I did the second cryptic today and it smacked me around more than the first. 6D proved the toughest for me but I was unfamiliar with an important term. I really like these; they are just challenging enough for me without being a late week Guardian puzzle.

[RPardoe]

Thanks for sharing - very enjoyable puzzles.
Took me about a half puzzle to get used to the cluing style, then things started to flow a bit more quickly.

[mokelfish]

Glad people enjoyed it! I found last week's edition extra clever, and I put it up here if people want to give it a try.

[Richard B.]

Enjoyed! Thanks, Michael.

[mokelfish]

Just a note that Fraser's last two weekly puzzles have been extra fun (although they are consistently great).