This is a place for me to publish cryptic crosswords that I hope solvers will find fun. These will be mostly “themed”, which is to say some of the answers are based around a common theme. I may throw in some “alphabetical jigsaws” and other variants. I’ll provide links to PUZ files where possible, and always a PDF. Please note that PUZ format doesn’t cover everything - it doesn’t even cover linked answers, which are fairly basic to cryptics. I’ll do my best.
About me
I live on the North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand. I am a Brit married to a Kiwi. We have two children, one an artist at Whitecliffe College, the other a mathematician at the University of Auckland. My day job is a software developer; I'm mainly responsible for the code that animates Mr. Bean and Peppa Pig.
Comments on my crosswords
I thoroughly enjoyed your puzzle. Some wonderfully devious surfaces and great constructions, lots of why-didn't-I-think-of-thats, a few that had me thoroughly stumped for far too long.
David Tossman, cryptic crossword setter for the “New Zealand Listener”
I was stunned.
Anthony Horowitz, on a crossword themed around his work.
Thank you very much for this final 2019 crossword. I puzzled for a bit and then it clicked about the prison-related words. I really don’t know how you do it!
Geoff Adlam, formerly managing editor of LawTalk (published by the NZ Law Society)
Māyā, for ages I have been meaning to get on the blog and comment on your fantastic crosswords. This one has pushed me over the edge! Thank you for such clever cluing. I love the local-isms, use of te reo Māori, local people and places. Thank you!
Dr Ocean Mercier of Victoria University, Wellington
Many thanks. Last month’s was a real brain teaser!
Heather Vermeer, formerly editor of Channel magazine
Congratulations. You have a convoluted, tricky and extraordinarily devious mind. I promise not to disclose this to another soul.
Kevin Ireland, poet and novelist
Best. Crossword. Ever.
Tara Eastwood of www [dot] androzani [dot] com
My crosswords have appeared in these magazines…
And some written for the website of the Crickle wordgame are available here
And a few miscellaneous ones such as “Science, Miss Hawthorne!”, “Thisbe the verse” and “A crossword jigsaw!” are available here
They can also be solved on your phone!
Thanks to the Alphacross app. Also, see here for a selection for PCs and Macs, just download the Across Lite app to play.
Why do I do it?
Apart from the fame and riches, you mean? In my opinion, compiling cryptic crosswords is stand-up comedy for introverts. If I can get a laugh (or groan) when someone solves a clue, I feel my work has been worthwhile.
About "Māyā"
Māyā (Sanskrit माया), literally means "illusion" and "magic". However, the term has multiple meanings depending on the context ... in later Vedic texts and modern literature dedicated to Indian traditions, Māyā connotes a "magic show, an illusion where things appear to be present but are not what they seem" (From Wikipedia).
If you are interested...
...in featuring a quirky, original cryptic crossword, tailored to current events and/or content in a publication...
(or wish to contact me for any other reason)
...please get in touch by emailing:
maya (at) mayaofauckland (dot) com.
Attributions
Most of the pictures above were taken by me or are magazine logos.
The site logo is “crossed swords - sign of sihag jats” Author Rahuljat
