Cryptics by Boatman

If you can do a crossword puzzle, you can write a sonnet.

Welcome

I’ve had a lot of fun compiling cryptic crossword puzzles since 2001, first for 1 Across magazine and since 2008 for the Guardian, and I hope you’ve enjoyed solving them. If you can use this site to find out a little more about me, perhaps you’ll have even more fun.

I always enjoy hearing from my victims, so please keep in touch. I’ll happily swap thoughts about words and the world in general.

1 Across

Magazine

Text Box: New to Boatman? Boatman crosswords are cryptic puzzles in the British tradition with a quirky sense of fun, which are intended to present a serious but not impossible challenge. They’re always themed, sometimes irreverent and possibly, just possibly, wise. You’ll find more thoughts and provocation here.

People saying nice things about Boatman

Text Box: Experience Boatman for yourself with a bespoke puzzle A completely personal, bespoke puzzle makes a wonderful gift to mark a birthday, anniversary or any other occasion … or just for fun.

Help is

at hand

What an absolute cracker of a puzzle … filled with gentle humour

A rich tapestry of delightful clues. One of the best puzzles I have had

the privilege to blog … a tour de force

Up there with the top dogs … WOW

Brilliant &Lits

This is the way a theme should be done

Shows his mastery of the multiple definition

Elegance personified

Totally brilliant

Delicious

Flawless as ever

This is why people like crosswords! … Boatman is the B of my ABC of

favourite setters

Fast becoming my favourite setter

Boatman now IS my favourite setter

Funny and audacious

Very different

Cleverly compiled

Elegant

Fair clueing with a touch of humour

Crafty

Brilliant!

Clever and amusing

Wit and wisdom

Loved it!

An all-time favourite

High quality … ingenious

Wonderful … made me laugh out loud

Giddying stuff … merrily exceeding the sum of its parts

Perfect clue … makes one believe the word was coined to allow it

From the professionals

From Guardian readers and www.fifteensquared.net bloggers

From 1 Across subscribers around the world

KPH (Netherlands)

OO (UK)

RMW (South Africa)

GT (UK)

JC (Switzerland)

EM (UK)

SJ (UK)

AJ (USA)

JP (UK)

HB (UK)

Dr SW (UK)

Hugh Stephenson (the Guardian)

Tom Johnson (the Spectator)

Alan Connor (the Guardian)

Mr Magoo

Martin R

Uncle Yap

Stiofain

mrpenney

Briggg

Smutchin

Lady W

newnewname

SvdH

Lowellander

BrigC

Twitter