Welcome to The Clue Clinic – where people interested in solving or setting cryptic crosswords come to learn, sharpen their skills, and get expert guidance from experienced setters.
If this is your first visit, we would recommend visiting the About This Site page to get some ideas about the areas of the site which may be of particular interest to you and the ways in which you can interact with Clinic staff and other readers.
What’s New
The PDF of the latest Azed puzzle is available at this link: Azed 2,785
In the October Digest, we discuss classic comedy, competition vs cooperation, and not one but two new clue-writing contests for you to enter
The PDF of the latest Gemelo puzzle is available at this link: Gemelo 52
Latest Posts




Latest Comments
Latest Forum Topics/Posts
Brilliant! That worked for me. Thankyou so much. Can you provide this alternative link for every Azed or Gemelo puzzle?
I’ve uploaded a copy to our site – try this link: https://clueclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/Azed2785.pdf.
Hi again, It is the same device I have successfully used for months (my pc). Right clicking the link and…
Hi Brian Is it just on one device that you are experiencing the problem? It may be a redirect issue…
For the last couple of weeks I have been unable to gain access to a PDF of the Azed or…
Will do 👍.
Good to see that The Observer will accept clue-writing entries from anyone (but only online), including photos/scans of e.g. printed…
Thanks for your question, which gives me the opportunity to make a more general point. The links included in the…
I do take your point. When I solved 26A, I had the verb senses in mind – I was thinking…
Afraid I still don’t buy the explanation for 26A. Whilst a “spit” is defined as “a long narrow tongue of…
RE: New clue writing competition
Thanks very much for the comments so far – great to see some positive responses. As you may have heard, the Observer h…
By Doctor Cluelittle , 5 days ago
RE: New clue writing competition
I'd love to give this a go, even just to see how others tackle the same word, and to get possible feedback on my own eff…
By Biggles , 7 days ago
RE: New clue writing competition
I'm looking forward to that! I especially like the idea of the clues with constraints.
By Alex , 3 weeks ago
RE: New clue writing competition
I think a lot of us felt that way when we first started trying to write clues – either that, or we thought we were total…
By Doctor Cluelittle , 3 weeks ago
RE: New clue writing competition
That's great news, the sooner the better. I'll certainly give it a go.
By Anonymous , 3 weeks ago
RE: New clue writing competition
Pretty sure it's not something I'd stand a chance of winning, but sounds like a great idea!
By CluelessBeginner , 3 weeks ago
RE: New clue writing competition
Hi Dr Cluelittle, I would certainly participate if you were to do this. As you’ve just seen I’ve already jumped the gun …
By Jay , 3 weeks ago
New clue writing competition
I miss the monthly Azed clue-writing competitions. Even though I only entered a handful of them, I felt I learned a lot,…
By Doctor Cluelittle , 3 weeks ago
RE: Cruciverbiana
I think "I've only got one clue left" is the one bit of dialogue I failed to take into account in my construction (must …
By Dave Williams , 3 weeks ago
RE: Cruciverbiana
Hi Skirwingle, and thank you. Since RC says "I've only got one clue left" but his checked letters are just the closin…
By Doctor Clue , 3 weeks ago