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 Gemelo puzzle is available at this link: Gemelo 52.
The PDF of the latest Azed puzzle is available at this link: Azed 2,784
The September Digest is now published, with views, news…and a chance to give your opinion on the health of the cryptic
The Forum is now available for discussion of all things crossword-related
Latest Posts



Latest Comments
Latest Forum Topics/Posts
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…
Hi MuchPuzzled Thanks for commenting. I’m glad that Dr Clue’s notes helped get you over the finish line, but sorry…
All becomes clear. Thank you
Hi again, I have a proposal for an addition to Links between Definition and Wordplay: When wordplay see definition e.g…
This monstrosity was the first of these puzzles I have attempted, and with your help completed, for a couple of…
Hi Christine In 32a, an archaic three-letter form of “God’s” formerly used in oaths (ie “God’s replacement no longer”) contains…
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 , 1 day 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 , 3 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 , 2 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 , 2 weeks ago
RE: New clue writing competition
That's great news, the sooner the better. I'll certainly give it a go.
By Anonymous , 2 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 , 2 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 , 2 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 , 2 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