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Alys Cummings

@alyseliza.bsky.social
356 followers 830 following 202 posts

Makes documentaries 🎥 loves crosswords 🖊️ reads novels 📚 writes ✍️ New Writing North Emerging Creative Associate ⬆️ Debut novel Murder Most Cryptic out October 2026 Penguin Michael Joseph 🇬🇧🐧🇬🇧 February 2027 Minotaur 🇺🇸🐂🇺🇸 Lives North East 🌊🌅

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Reposted by Alys Cummings
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 01/10/2026
‘I do it because I like it’: Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, on being youngest ever ‘woman grandmaster’
theguardian.com
‘I do it because I like it’: Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, on being youngest ever ‘woman grandmaster’
London schoolgirl’s father taught her to play when she was five, and three years later she beat former British champion
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The Void ザ・ヴォイド @thevoidtlmb.social.vivaldi.net.ap.brid.gy · 28/09/2026
The eagle-eyed will have noticed that there’s a new #OffGridPod out. Are we fur real? Find out, or you’re history. offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/09/27/chamber…
offgrid.tlmb.net
Chambers’ Spin-off History – Ep. 081
We take a look at Chambers’ Spin-off History, check the size of the footage, and connect with a handshake before casting our capes to the wind. === If that sounds like something you wouldn’t turn down outright, please click play: If the player doesn’t show, here’s a direct download mp3 link. Support us:Off-Grid gear is […] The post Chambers’ Spin-off History – Ep. 081 appeared first on Off-Grid.
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
If you listen to this latest episode of #OffGridPod you may well hear the familiar voice of a woman with a cryptic crime novel out soon…you’ll definitely hear chat about Bigfoot, soldiers, and Superman! @offgridpod.offgrid.tlmb.net.ap.brid.gy offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/09/27/c...
offgrid.tlmb.net
Chambers' Spin-off History - Ep. 081 - Off-Grid
We take a look at Chambers' Spin-off History, check the size of the footage, connect with a handshake before casting our capes to the wind.
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Had such a great time interviewing the very talented Janice Hallett about her latest book, The Silent Appeal, last night - she has lovely readers who asked brilliant questions! Thanks for inviting me @forumbooks.bsky.social ! 😊
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Lovely morning chatting all things crosswords, in Durham with Dice 😊
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@FrancesC.bsky.social @franapunk.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Jeez-oh 😳 I made the McIvanney shortlist! Wish I had better words to describe how grateful I am, have to settle for THANK YOU judges THANK YOU @bloodyscotland.bsky.social
A Bad Bad Plce listed beside shortlist books by Zoe Rankin, Gavin Bell, Philip Miller, Tariq Ashkanani
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Rachel Playforth @archelina.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
New Featured cryptic on MyCrossword by me today - should be a gentle start to your solving week I think 😇 www.mycrossword.co.uk/featured/18
mycrossword.co.uk
Featured crossword No 18 · MyCrossword
Solve Featured crossword No 18 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 32 clues by Angel. Published Mon 24 Aug 2026. Free to solve online.
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Sunday started well Wordle 1,891 2/6 ⬜🟨⬜🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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tpg @tpgrammar.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Huge thanks to @guineverecryptic.bsky.social for an insightful and fun #cryptic #crosswords chat! 🙌 Thanks again, Dice/Kybos/Guinevere/Jennie!
youtu.be
Talking Cryptics with Dice! (aka Guinevere; aka Kybos)
YouTube video by tpgrammar
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Guinevere 🎲🎲 @guineverecryptic.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A second roll of the Monday Dice - I hope you enjoy! Floppy elephant with no stuffing for clingy type (6) Scourge of old? (5) Place, place and, finally, place (4)
theguardian.com
Cryptic crossword No 30,087
Cryptic crossword No 30,087
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
I absolutely love Janice Hallett’s books and am thrilled to be asking the questions when she comes to Newcastle in September to talk about The Silent Appeal. Thanks to the brilliant @forumbooks.bsky.social for hosting and inviting me to chair - tickets available on the link below 📚 🤩🤩
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
For any Waterstones users who’ve been thinking of pre-ordering Murder Most Cryptic and haven’t yet…it’s part of a summer promotion til Friday, with 25 per cent off online orders with the code SUMMER26 🌞
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Delighted to spot the perfect accompaniment to my mystery book in @sainsburys.bsky.social …in the form of a Murder Most Cryptic epigraph plant 🤩 Thank you Erno Rubik for all the puzzling fun and inspiration 🧩
A Rubik’s cube design plant pot with a yellow plant, sitting on top of two books: Murder Most Cryptic by Alys Cummings and Cubed: The Puzzle of Us by Erno Rubik
A  copy of Murder Most Cryptic open on the epigraph page with a quote by Erno Rubik. It reads: If you are curious, you will find the puzzles around you. If you are determined, you will solve them.
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/2...
theguardian.com
Wendy Law obituary
Ingenious crossword setter who compiled the weekly quiptic in the Guardian under the pseudonym Hectence
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Wordle 1,851 2/6 🟩⬜⬜🟨⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Still makes me happy to get a two-er Still have to get it in one
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I’m Dave Williams. You’re probably not @skirwingle.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A great actor is all men, somehow (3,5) #cryptic #crossword
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Very pleased to be making my debut as Garson in the Guardian today 😊 www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
theguardian.com
Quick cryptic crossword No 119
Quick cryptic crossword No 119
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Had a couple of days away in Italy…in an asylum in 16th C Tuscany. Loved this book by @dvbishop.com It does what the best historical novels do & feels as if you’re right there, alive in another place & time. And starts with a blizzard, so might cool you off a bit www.panmacmillan.com/authors/d-v-...
panmacmillan.com
Shadow of Madness by D. V. Bishop
Longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger 2026Trapped with a killer in a remote asylum, investigator Cesare Aldo must face his fears in Shadow of Madness, an atmospher
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Guinevere 🎲🎲 @guineverecryptic.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Throwback to almost a year ago, when @susiemesure.bsky.social called out the massive gender imbalance in cryptic crosswords (around 3h46). We have seen some small improvements - bigger some places than others - but there is still a long way to go. www.youtube.com/live/V0cIy6q...
youtube.com
World Cryptic Crossword Championship London 2025
YouTube video by EXTRA C
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Everything DVB said!
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
My book is becoming an actual proper book and it’s so exciting 🤩🤩🤩 this is a proof copy and I love it!
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Unch Crosswords @unchcrosswords.com · 09/06/2026
Keep it quiet but UNCH ISSUE FOUR PRE-SALES ARE OPEN NOW unchcrosswords.com#shop
unchcrosswords.com
Unch Crossword Magazine
Unch, the clued-up crossword magazine
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Tonight, on Panorama, our joint investigation with the Times www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC One - Panorama, Predator: The Billionaire Football Boss
A joint investigation by Panorama and the Times into the behaviour of David Sullivan.
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Delighted to have an honourable mention with my first entry into the Sunday Times clue writing contest 🥳😊 Topical society opinion is a selling point for The Sun? (9)
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Delighted to be back in the Indy as Penelope today ✨ puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
puzzles.independent.co.uk
The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent
Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Connections Puzzle #1078 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟦🟦🟦🟦
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Julian Simpson @juliansimpson.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Our project is now officially approved by Backerkit, and is heading your way at noon (London time) on Wednesday... www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
backerkit.com
Get Ready for Lovecraft Investigations: The Call of Cthulhu
From Julian Simpson - Get Ready for Lovecraft Investigations: The Call of Cthulhu
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Look at this fantastic cover created by the talented Penguin team ❤️ Murder Most Cryptic is my debut novel…out in October! It’s now available to pre-order (pre-orders are super helpful to authors, especially debut ones!) if you think this puzzling murder mystery might intrigue you… bit.ly/3OXJFyA
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Henri @henriwords.com · 12/05/2026
New blog post from me, indulging in my fascination with how #cryptic #crossword setters choose their pseudonyms ✍️ www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/what-s-... (and a massive Thank You to the lovely people who provided stories for this)
mycrossword.co.uk
What's in a Name? · MyCrossword
One of the quirks of UK-style cryptic crosswords is that setters, when they are credited, normally use **pseudonyms** rather than their given names. On the r...
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Cats of Yore @catsofyore.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Very dapper man with premium kitten accessories. Photo from my collection, no date/info.
A light brown skinned man, maybe central or South American, in a light striped shirt, bow tie, and Panama-style hat at a jaunty angle sits on roughhewn wooden bench with a black cat and tabby cat scooped up in his arms. The tabby seems to be trying to make an exit.
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Rob Jacques @knutcrosswords.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on a cryptic crossword landmark: 30,000 grids of noble trickery | Editorial
Editorial: For nearly a century, the Guardian has been challenging and delighting its readers with these puzzles. Here’s to 30,000 more
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Janet Sparke @scintilla71.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
I've just published a cryptic on @mycrossword.co.uk mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3392 All feedback welcome
mycrossword.co.uk
Cryptic crossword No 3,392 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,392 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 33 clues by Scintilla. Published Sun 3 May 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.
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Guinevere 🎲🎲 @guineverecryptic.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Once upon a time… a crossword setter had a dream… So grateful and honoured to make my weekday debut today 🥰 Wife desires charming women … (7) … valour is boring her – ordinary and primarily ‘macho’ (7) INXS provided Yates’s first shoot up (9) #cryptic #crossword
theguardian.com
Cryptic crossword No 29,997
Cryptic crossword No 29,997
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Very proud to have a Penelope crossword featured in #OffGridPod 😊🙌🏻🙌🏻
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I’m Dave Williams. You’re probably not @skirwingle.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
It's the last Sunday of the month. It's lunchtime. It's CRACKERJA— er, no, I mean #OffGridPod at offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/04/26/e...
offgrid.tlmb.net
Elastic Twang & Pluck – Ep. 72 - Off-Grid
In which there's Elastic Twang & Pluck, we price cutlery, consider a crooner's clobber, and get the blues.
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Marathon pix. Brother today at Cutty Sark and going past Big Ben, dad back in 1988; same age, same worthy cause; and within a couple of minutes of the same time. Celebrating with him in Trafalgar Square after haring round to cheer him on. So proud 🙌🏻🙌🏻
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Claire Wilson @byclairewilson.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Need a good book rec for the cold winter nights? Then pre-order yourself Murder Most Cryptic by debut author Alys Cummings Part mystery, part crossword puzzle- this book is gonna be huge! Coming to a bookshelf near you on 8th October from @michaeljbooks.bsky.social
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
😱😱 An existential crisis in the crossword community. bit.ly/4cZ7DlT
bit.ly
An Existential Crisis in the Crossword Community
For the first time in its 84-year history, the New York Times accidentally published an unsolvable grid.
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Andrew Male @andrewmale.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Would immediately buy the mid-century novel that began with this sentence.
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Raider @mycrossword.co.uk · 18/04/2026
Regular reminder that the blog is open to all. Got something to say about crosswords? Go for it.
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
An evening going through proof pages with the editorial team. A story in three parts.
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Felicity Hannah @felicityhannah.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
A colleague didn’t recognise me in my glasses so I tried to joke “I’m Clark Kent” but accidentally declared “I’m Ken Clarke”
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
I’m excited for the latest issue of Unch, v much looking forward to the puzzles, and delighted to be interviewed in it talking about crosswords, crime and Murder Most Cryptic 🙌🏻 Thank you for having me @unchcrosswords.com Teddy is excited as it’s teatime.
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Guinevere 🎲🎲 @guineverecryptic.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Kybos appears in The Times Quick Cryptic today: The cop’s leg fidgets — it could stop trousers falling off? (7,3) Hope you enjoy! #cryptic #crossword
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
New blog post about the audio that helps keep me sane Including #offgridpod with @thevoidtlmb.social.vivaldi.net.ap.brid.gy and @skirwingle.bsky.social As well as @inmygoodbookspod.bsky.social And Lovecraft Investigations by @juliansimpson.bsky.social www.alyscummings.com/post/listen-up
alyscummings.com
Listen Up!
Last month I was struck down with a rotten virus, missed a walking and writing holiday in Spain that I was so looking forward to*, and spent more time than usual lying in bed feeling miserable.**But i...
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Another fun outing for Penelope www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3299
mycrossword.co.uk
Cryptic crossword No 3,299 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,299 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 27 clues by Penelope. Published Thu 9 Apr 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.
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Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
My Easter books cartoon for @theguardian.com
Title: Easter Egg Hunt techniques inspired by great detectives 

Panel 1: Sherlock Holmes.
Deduce the exact location of every egg from seemingly unrelated details without leaving your room. Send your amazed sidekick to fetch them. 

Panel 2: Jack Reacher 
Hit the garden hard and fast. 
Take no prisoners
Get back on the road. 
This approach results in a thrillingly intense hunt, but very few intact eggs.

Panel 3: George Smiley
Meticulously assess documents, people and motives. Then scrupulously collect the eggs and dejectedly wonder if  any of it was worthwhile.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 04/04/2026
Chess Mates: the fantastic true story of the sex toy rumour that buzzed around the world
theguardian.com
Chess Mates: the fantastic true story of the sex toy rumour that buzzed around the world
It was the anal bead theory that caused a global sensation. Now, a new Netflix film tells the tale of two grandmasters, one scandal – and a whole lot of bad blood
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
All set for a morning Maskarade preceded by a lovely game with Dice 🎭 🎲 #crypticcrossword
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Lovely start to a Saturday 😊 1A was my LOI!
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