Cryptic crosswords are a great challenge for the brain, but they needn’t be scary. They’re not as deadly as the puzzles in the Exxilon City! Below are some hints and tips on how to complete them – Code Nine Anagrams: If a clue contains a word meaning “change”, such as “upset”, or “disturbed”, that means there is an anagram to solve. The words which require your attention are usually right next to the indicator word. Read more…
Cryptic Who has regenerated! Welcome to the new Cryptic Who website! The crosswords are now interactive, meaning you can complete them on your tablet or phone on the go, making it easier to complete the challenges your erstwhile compiler sets you and to tax those little grey cells. I know change can be strange, but life – and Doctor Who – relies on change. Don’t worry, though, the old blog Cryptic Who will remain online Read more…
Doctor Who has a long tradition of monsters. One of the staples of creating monsters is to make creepy crawlies much larger… and Doctor Who has done this many times, from the giant spiders of Metebelis III to the beetle on Donna’s back in Turn Left. It’s enough to make your skin crawl! So, grab your net because we’re all going on a bug hunt! – Code Nine x
Doctor Who has a habit of making ordinary things seem scary, and one of the enduring methods of doing this is to make creepy crawlies big and threatening. There is a long tradition of this, from Planet of Giants and The Web Planet right up to this week’s The Story and the Engine. Find out what gives you the creeps in this week’s cryptic crossword, but remember – there’s something on your back! – Code Read more…
The history of UNIT is a long one. Over the decades, we have met many of its personnel and grown to love them, whatever rank they have held. But can you remember who is who? It’s time to test your knowledge of the UNIT files, from the very beginning up to this week’s episode, Lucky Day. This message will self-destruct in 30 seconds… Code Nine x
Where would we be without UNIT to defend planet Earth from all those alien invasions? Over the decades, it has evolved from being a secret organisation based in a country house to a bold fighting force with a huge tower in Central London. They have defended us from the Shakri, the Zygons, and the Cybermen, and in Lucky Day, from the awful Shreek! This week, Cryptic Who takes a look at modern UNIT stories, so Read more…
Last week, I set a competition for the 100th Cryptic Who Cryptic Crossword to win a signed copy of The Official Doctor Who Puzzle Book by me, Dr. Simon Fox (AKA Code Nine). The question was 3 Across – Story which predates Anita Dobson (6,3,5) and the answer was… Before The Flood! All the correct submissions were put into a fez and mixed up. The winner was plucked out at random and is – PAUL Read more…
Hello All! I wrote a book! It is jam-packed full of mind-bending puzzles for lateral thinking Doctor Who fans and it is doing VERY well in the best sellers charts! Would you like a signed copy? All you have to do is tell me the answer to 3 Across on this week’s BASE UNDER SIEGE CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 100. When you’re sure you have the answer, email me using the “Contact Me” form top right of Read more…
