Got a few weeks of puzzles for you again today. Happy solving!
Remember that this is not an attempt to pick the “best” puzzles, and we won’t be commenting as critics. Our approach is best described as “puzzles we solved that we don’t think you should miss.” Kind of like staff recommendations at a local bookstore.
Did we miss your favorites? Add them in the comments!
New York Times: (12/12) by Daniel Bodily. Clean! – Matt
New York Times: (12/26) by Ella Dershowitz. – Matt
The New Yorker: The Holiday Crossword (12/23-12/27). This annual series from The New Yorker jam-packs a year-end retrospective into five puzzles. It’s a different solving experience than most puzzles, but certainly worth a try. – Matt
Los Angeles Times: (12/26) by Kevin Christian & Doug Peterson. A theme format that’s fallen out of vogue a bit, but pleasant to unravel and the themers themselves are entertaining – Matt
Alta Journal: Animal Style (12/15) by Rebecca Goldstein and Rafael Musa. Just a really solid puzzle from this pair of West-Coast (hint) constructors in this West-Coast (hint hint) magazine. – Matt
LuterCross: I Contain Multitudes (12/24) – Matt
The New Yorker: Stop Right There! (12/16) by Adam Wagner. A rare themed puzzle from The New Yorker, and it’s a clever one from Adam. —Rich & Norah
Mental Judo: Hacking the Cryptic (12/26) by herzwesten and joeadultman. The third text adventure puzzle from this duo is just as good as the first two. Very approachable if you’re new to variety cryptics. —Rich
Dissonant Grids: Healing? (12/13) by Owen Bergstein. A stunning blog debut unlike anything we’ve seen in a long time. While the post rightfully carries a comprehensive content warning, the unique solving experience is worth putting aside any reservations. Brilliant work. –Norah
HallePuzzles: A Slight Alteration (12/7) by Halle Pollack. The winning puzzle of Crosswordr’s New Constructor Contest, and with good reason. A standout among the competition with a themeset executed with perfect consistency, including the revealer itself. Don’t miss it. –Norah
Zinna Bun: 🫧 (12/22) by zinna and kateschmate. Zinna has become known for her blending of artistic grid presentation with a lyrical poetry in the clues. After adding Kate’s brilliant cluing voice, this is one of my favorite indie puzzles of the year. So gorgeous. -Norah
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