JonMichael is Neither Jon nor Michael

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2007

Dec 2007 -- Getting into the Spirit A
Nov 2007 -- Web Service A
Oct 2007 -- Jigsaw A-
Sep 2007 -- A Hard Act to Follow A
Jul/Aug 2007 -- Fishbowl A-
Jun 2007 -- The Bottom Line A
May 2007 -- Flower Show B+
Apr 2007 -- Cryptax Collection A-
Mar 2007 -- Three Trains Running A-
Jan/Feb 2007 -- Obstacle Course A-

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2006

Dec 2006 -- Minding Your P's and Q's A
Nov 2006 -- Connect the Dots A
Oct 2006 -- Box Scores A-
Sep 2006 -- Hex Sign A-
Jul/Aug 2006 -- Dinner with the Crypps A-
Jun 2006 -- What's My Line? B+
May 2006 -- Peace of the Puzzle B+
Apr 2006 -- Box Set B
Mar 2006 -- Twofers A
Jan/Feb 2006 -- Mysterious Island B

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2005

Haven't done this in a while.

Dec 2005 -- Cryptic Recipe A
Nov 2005 -- Our Cryptic Hobby A-
Oct 2005 -- Alien Invasion A-
Sep 2005 -- Lost and Found A-
Jul/Aug 2005 -- Code Pairs B+
Jun 2005 -- Central Intelligence A-
May 2005 -- Sightseeing B+
Apr 2005 -- Running the Gamut A
Mar 2005 -- Cloverleaf A-
Jan/Feb 2005 -- What's What A

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2004

Dec 2004 -- Cryptic Buffet A-
Nov 2004 -- Leapfrog A-
Oct 2004 -- Cryptic Journey A
Sep 2004 -- Chain Links A
Jul/Aug 2004 -- Room With a View A-
Jun 2004 -- Graphic Arts A
May 2004 -- Magic Rings A-
Apr 2004 -- Help Wanted A
Mar 2004 -- Radio Daze A
Jan/Feb 2004 -- Eights B+

And that, as they say, is that.

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2003

Dec 2003 -- Gift Array A-
Nov 2003 -- Floor Plan A
Oct 2003 -- Mystery Theater A
Sep 2003 -- Spoonerfest A-
Jul/Aug 2003 -- Word Magic A
Jun 2003 -- Standouts A
May 2003 -- Treasure Island A-
Apr 2003 -- Circular Reasoning A-
Mar 2003 -- Games A
Jan/Feb 2003 -- Target Practice A-

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2002

Dec 2002 -- Crystal Ball A
Nov 2002 -- Gridiron A-
Oct 2002 -- Wisecracks A-
Sep 2002 -- Sign of the Times A
Jul/Aug 2002 -- Lost in the Funhouse A
Jun 2002 -- Layers A
May 2002 -- Compact Disc A
Apr 2002 -- Loops A
Mar 2002 -- Working Overtime B+
Feb 2002 -- Common Bond A
Jan 2002 -- Book Reviews A

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2001

Dec 2001 -- Presents B+
Nov 2001 -- Full Course A-
Oct 2001 -- Rock Climbing A
Sep 2001 -- Half and Half A-
Jul/Aug 2001 -- Faces B+
Jun 2001 -- Private Boxes A
May 2001 -- Craftwork A
Apr 2001 -- Mystery Word A
Mar 2001 -- March Theme A
Feb 2001 -- Sweet Sixteen A
Jan 2001 -- Resolution A-

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2000

Dec 2000 -- Wraparound A
Nov 2000 -- Puzzle Quote A
Oct 2000 -- Whodunit A
Sep 2000 -- Highlights A-
Aug 2000 -- Partners A
Jul 2000 -- Triangles A-
Jun 2000 -- Cryptic Tennis A
May 2000 -- Cutting the Cards A-
Apr 2000 -- Message in a Bottle A
Mar 2000 -- Bright Prospects A
Feb 2000 -- Your Turn B+
Jan 2000 -- A River Runs Through It B

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1999

Dec 1999 -- Windup A
Nov 1999 -- Downsizing A
Oct 1999 -- Cycles A-
Sep 1999 -- Shakedown A
Aug 1999 -- At the Movies A
Jul 1999 -- Family Reunion A
Jun 1999 -- Mismatches A-
May 1999 -- Lawbreakers A
Apr 1999 -- Mystery Box A-
Mar 1999 -- Hide and Seek A
Feb 1999 -- Central Square A
Jan 1999 -- Cross-Training B+

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1998

Dec 1998 -- Criss-Crossing A-
Nov 1998 -- Back in the Labyrinth A
Oct 1998 -- Rite of Passage A
Sep 1998 -- Service With a Smile B+
Aug 1998 -- In Common A-
Jul 1998 -- Nine-Hole Course A
Jun 1998 -- Guidelines A-
May 1998 -- Picnic A-
Apr 1998 -- Three-Ring Circus A
Mar 1998 -- Marching Orders** A
Feb 1998 -- Step by Step A
Jan 1998 -- Celebrating the First B+

**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1997

Dec 1997 -- Cryptacrostic A-
Nov 1997 -- Chessboard** A
Oct 1997 -- Haunted House B
Sep 1997 -- Double-Crossers** A-
Aug 1997 -- Scoreboard** A
Jul 1997 -- Celebrating the Fourth** A-
Jun 1997 -- Fortune Cookies B+
May 1997 -- Slide Show A
Apr 1997 -- Treasure Map A
Mar 1997 -- Dress Code B+
Feb 1997 -- Left, Right & Center A
Jan 1997 -- Word Square A-

**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1996

Dec 1996 -- Snowflake** A
Nov 1996 -- Spoonerisms** A-
Oct 1996 -- Got a Match?** B
Sep 1996 -- Puzzle Warranty A-
Aug 1996 -- Rectangular B+
Jul 1996 -- Target Practice** A-
Jun 1996 -- Give us a Break!** A-
May 1996 -- Flower Cuttings A
Apr 1996 -- Combination Lock** A-
Mar 1996 -- Your Move** A-
Feb 1996 -- Blankety-Blank A
Jan 1996 -- Starting Block** A

**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1995

Dec 1995 -- What's in the Box?** A
Nov 1995 -- Keyholes** A
Oct 1995 -- Musical Chairs A-
Sep 1995 -- Fortunetelling** A
Aug 1995 -- Honeycomb** A
Jul 1995 -- Patchwork** B+
Jun 1995 -- Jigsaw A-
May 1995 -- Asteroids A
Apr 1995 -- Smorgasboard** B+
Mar 1995 -- Zip Code A-
Feb 1995 -- Cryptic Personals** A
Jan 1995 -- Janus-Faced** A

**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1994

Dec 1994 -- Snow Job* A
Nov 1994 -- Seasonality A
Oct 1994 -- Changing Times** A-
Sep 1994 -- The Best Policy* A
Aug 1994 -- Wrong Number A
Jul 1994 -- Marginal Thinking* A-
Jun 1994 -- Shakedown* A
May 1994 -- Garden Plot* A-
Apr 1994 -- Secret Message A-
Mar 1994 -- Crazy Eights* A
Feb 1994 -- Comings And Goings A-
Jan 1994 -- Theme And Variations B+

*Available in "The Random House Guide to Cryptic Crosswords" 2nd Ed.
**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1993

Dec 1993 -- Puzzler's Gift A-
Nov 1993 -- Fast Thinking* A
Oct 1993 -- Haunted House* A-
Sep 1993 -- Crossword School* A-
Aug 1993 -- Celestial Navigation* A
Jul 1993 -- Robin Hood** B+
Jun 1993 -- Chain Reaction* A-
May 1993 -- Connect The Dots B+
Apr 1993 -- Guessing Game* B
Mar 1993 -- Shooting Hoops* A
Feb 1993 -- Cryptic Valentine* A
Jan 1993 -- Something Different B

*Available in "The Random House Guide to Cryptic Crosswords" 2nd Ed.
**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1992

Dec 1992 -- Wrap Session* A
Nov 1992 -- Centerpiece A-
Oct 1992 -- Amazement* A
Sep 1992 -- Hex** A-
Aug 1992 -- Literal Interpretation B+
Jul 1992 -- Relay Race* B+
Jun 1992 -- Code Pairs* A-
May 1992 -- Cutting The Cards* A
Apr 1992 -- Wheel of Fortune* A
Mar 1992 -- Borrowers And Lenders* B+
Feb 1992 -- Valentine B+
Jan 1992 -- Initiation* A-

*Available in "The Random House Guide to Cryptic Crosswords" 2nd Ed.
**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1991

Dec 1991 -- Boxed Set B+
Nov 1991 -- Knight's Moves B+
Oct 1991 -- Deduction* A-
Sep 1991 -- Mitosis A-
Aug 1991 -- Rectangular* A-
Jul 1991 -- Kangaroos* A
Jun 1991 -- Word Links* B-
May 1991 -- Choice Words* B+
Apr 1991 -- Offerings B+
Mar 1991 -- Compact Disc* A-
Feb 1991 -- Heartbroken A-
Jan 1991 -- For Beginners* A

*Available in "The Random House Guide to Cryptic Crosswords" 2nd Ed.

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1990

Dec 1990 -- Magic Act A-
Nov 1990 -- Trapdoors** B
Oct 1990 -- Zip Code* B+
Sep 1990 -- Twisting Route* A-
Aug 1990 -- Quasicrystal** A
Jul 1990 -- Going Too Far A-
Jun 1990 -- Mystery Theater* A-
May 1990 -- X Marks The Spot** A
Apr 1990 -- Getting Around** A
Mar 1990 -- Hidden Faces B+
Feb 1990 -- Heart-To-Heart A-
Jan 1990 -- In The Spirit** A-

*Available in "The Random House Guide to Cryptic Crosswords" 2nd Ed.
**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1989

Dec 1989 -- Decorations** A-
Nov 1989 -- Cryptic Menu* A
Oct 1989 -- Waste Recycling* A-
Sep 1989 -- Jigsaw* A-
Aug 1989 -- Cryptic Golf** A
Jul 1989 -- Stars And Stripes** A
Jun 1989 -- Alphanagrams** A
May 1989 -- Cross Checking** A
Apr 1989 -- Mosaic* B
Mar 1989 -- Egg Hunt* A-
Feb 1989 -- Sounding Off B
Jan 1989 -- Cryptic Slalom** B+

*Available in "The Random House Guide to Cryptic Crosswords" 2nd Ed.
**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1988

Dec 1988 -- The Four Seasons* B+
Nov 1988 -- Five And Ten A-
Oct 1988 -- Commoners* A
Sep 1988 -- Left, Right & Center* A-
Aug 1988 -- Forty-Niners* B
Jul 1988 -- Split Decision** B+
Jun 1988 -- Traffic Jam** A
May 1988 -- Window Boxes** A-
Apr 1988 -- Magic A-
Mar 1988 -- Word Square* A-
Feb 1988 -- All Heart** B+
Jan 1988 -- At The Races** A

*Available in "The Random House Guide to Cryptic Crosswords" 2nd Ed.
**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1987

Dec 1987 -- Segments B+
Nov 1987 -- Connect the Dots* B+
Oct 1987 -- Best Sellers A-
Sep 1987 -- Subtraction* A-
Aug 1987 -- Coordination* A
Jul 1987 -- The Music Goes Round and Round** A-
Jun 1987 -- Hex* B
May 1987 -- Phases B
Apr 1987 -- Code Pairs** B+
Mar 1987 -- Talk Show B+
Feb 1987 -- The Name of the Game** A-
Jan 1987 -- Patchwork A-

*Available in "The Random House Guide to Cryptic Crosswords" 2nd Ed.
**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1986

Dec 1986 -- Stocking Stuffers B+
Nov 1986 -- Pairs B+
Oct 1986 -- As Romans Do* A
Sep 1986 -- Solitaire** A-
Aug 1986 -- Slide Show* A-
Jul 1986 -- Baseball Diamonds B
Jun 1986 -- Flow Chart* A-
May 1986 -- Matched Set* A
Apr 1986 -- Animated Speech A-
Mar 1986 -- Pinwheel** A-
Feb 1986 -- Sixism B+
Jan 1986 -- Upstairs Downstairs B

*Available in "The Random House Guide to Cryptic Crosswords" 2nd Ed.
**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1985

Dec 1985 -- Star Lights B+
Nov 1985 -- Missing Links A-
Oct 1985 -- Go-Betweens B
Sep 1985 -- Spoonerisms B+
Aug 1985 -- Double Cross B+
Jul 1985 -- Acrostic B+
Jun 1985 -- Code-Breaking A-
May 1985 -- Cross Reference A-
Apr 1985 -- Sixes and Sevens B+
Mar 1985 -- Guided Tour A
Feb 1985 -- Compound Words A-
Jan 1985 -- Laddergram A-

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1984

Dec 1984 -- Mountain Climbing C+
Nov 1984 -- Party of Eight B+
Oct 1984 -- Trick or Treat B+
Sep 1984 -- Puzzle Cube A
Aug 1984 -- ABC A-
Jul 1984 -- Garden Plot A
Jun 1984 -- Theme and Variations A-
May 1984 -- Procrustean Bed B
Apr 1984 -- Target Practice A
Mar 1984 -- Labyrinth A-
Feb 1984 -- Hearts A-
Jan 1984 -- Acrostic B+

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1983

Dec 1983 -- Medley A-
Nov 1983 -- Eights B+
Oct 1983 -- Diary of a Madman A
Sep 1983 -- Absolutely! A-
Aug 1983 -- Asteroids A
Jul 1983 -- Quadrants B+
Jun 1983 -- Waste Recycling B
May 1983 -- Cryptic Ping-Pong B
Apr 1983 -- Bookshelves A
Mar 1983 -- Noah's Ark B+
Feb 1983 -- From the Heart B+
Jan 1983 -- Bar-Hopping A-

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1982

Dec 1982 -- Tree-Trimming B+
Nov 1982 -- Classified Ads A-
Oct 1982 -- Dual Commitment A-
Sep 1982 -- Spinning Wheel A
Aug 1982 -- Building Blocks B+
Jul 1982 -- Number Puzzle A
Jun 1982 -- Cryptic Golf A-
May 1982 -- Figures of Speech C+
Apr 1982 -- Carte Blanche A-
Mar 1982 -- One-Armed Bandit B
Feb 1982 -- Couples B+
Jan 1982 -- Backfield in Motion B

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1981

Dec 1981 -- Acrostic B-
Nov 1981 -- Letter Boxes B
Oct 1981 -- Patchwork B+
Sep 1981 -- Across and Down B-
Aug 1981 -- Two in One B
Jul 1981 -- Hidden Faces C+
Jun 1981 -- Breaking In B
May 1981 -- Men of Art B-
Apr 1981 -- Pinwheel B
Mar 1981 -- Debarment B-
Feb 1981 -- TV Guide B+
Jan 1981 -- Schizogrammata C

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1980

Dec 1980 -- Gift Giving A-
Nov 1980 -- The Djintecs B
Oct 1980 -- Square Wheels B-
Sep 1980 -- Alphabetical Deletion B
Aug 1980 -- Mixed Double B+
Jul 1980 -- Circle Dance B-
Jun 1980 -- Head-hunting B
May 1980 -- Shadow Boxing B-
Apr 1980 -- Post Mortem C+
Mar 1980 -- Dream Analysis A-
Feb 1980 -- Spelling Bee B-
Jan 1980 -- Resolutions B+

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1979

Dec 1979 -- Noel C+
Nov 1979 -- Animal Crackers B-
Oct 1979 -- Traffic Jam B
Sep 1979 -- Wrong Number B-
Aug 1979 -- Double Cross (I HAVEN'T DONE THIS ONE)
Jul 1979 -- HI (Shorthand I) B+
Jun 1979 -- Mitosis B-
May 1979 -- Misprints C+
Apr 1979 -- Theme And Variations C+
Mar 1979 -- Crossword Puzzle C
Feb 1979 -- Counterparts C+
Jan 1979 -- Transmutation B

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1977-1978

I went to the library and copied the old Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon Puzzlers from the Atlantic. I've been solving them in order and grading them. Sean said I should blog the grades, so I am.

Dec 1978 -- Starlights B-
Nov 1978 -- Decipherment B
Oct 1978 -- Octaves B
Sep 1978 -- Torn Clues C+
Aug 1978 -- Back To Back C+
Jul 1978 -- Drosswords B-
Jun 1978 -- Abecedarian Jigsaw B+
May 1978 -- Lines of Demarcation C
Apr 1978 -- Vicious Circles B+
Mar 1978 -- Musical Chairs C-
Feb 1978 -- Disguise C+
Jan 1978 -- Eightsome Reels C
Dec 1977 -- News Clippings B-
Nov 1977 -- Sixes And Sevens B
Oct 1977 -- Masquerade Ball D+
Sep 1977 -- Short and Sweet C+

I'd like to point out that, though I dabble in Cryptic Crossword construction, I could never produce the kinds of consistent and interesting variety puzzles that Hex do. I'm grading these as an aid to solvers, not because I think I could do better. Note: by their own admission, many early Hex puzzles were more British in nature and therefore have less than standard clues.

Kegler's Kontribution

Anyone starting out in Cryptic Crosswordom should try Kegler's Kryptics Beginner's Puzzles, a group of beginner's puzzles that really shows you how its down by using the best 1* puzzles around. Thanks, Ron! You've made teaching Cryptics that much easier.

Lunchtime Quickie

Instrument of touch-back (4)

Alphabetical Cryptic

My alphabetical cryptic is up (see NY Time link at right). I can't believe some people don't know who they are. I would consider any of these acceptable to be clued words.

Animalia - Chordata - Vertebrata - Mammalia - Primata - Homo - Sapiens Sapiens

I think I have the definition wrong

Very strange chum (4)

Is this shared root?

Fatal lesson about time (6)

Back in the Saddle

I'm back from a week's vacation to Hudson and Milwaukee and so 100 words essays and other fragments will be occurring in this space.

I made a Cru Cryptic over the week I was gone and had a last second revision to the grid (because it didn't work).

This caused three clues to disappear, so I thought I'd post them here.

Authentic part of a film in your mouth (4)
Finish section of "Prepare a Dynamo" (5)
Al, the German city representative (5)

Cru Cryptics

Today I finally completed all 189 New York Times Cru Cryptics (see link at right). This is a major milestone for me as I do not have any cryptics on my to-do list for a while. It is a weird feeling. Of course, now, Nichole might give...ugh...another book of British ones that'll make me go insane.

Feeling proud of myself. Time to work on my next submission with John and Sean.

The Great Bob Stigger

After Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon and Henry Hook (who can sometimes be so deceptive that I cannot fully appreciate him), my favorite cryptic constructor is Bob Stigger. His clues hold two special places in my heart. His wordplay is exquisite and he is from the midwest. The midwestern connection means that for me (a Wisconsin native), he uses references and terminology that I "get" very naturally. From this month's GAMES magazine (get a subscription whydoncha) a clue by the great Mr. Stigger:

University in Eau Claire (4)

As UWEC grad, I love this clue and while I don't fault coastal dwellers, I don't think anyone else but Bob would look at the name like "Eau Claire" and say "How can I use that in a cryptic clue?" Plus, the entire clue both rolls of the toungue and is perfect in cryptic grammar.

Bob's cryptics are regularly featured in GAMES magazine.