Puzzle Notes

Hello all!

We're so excited to bring you "Baffled in the Backyard", a variety cryptic debut from the very accomplished Rachel Fabi. It was an absolute pleasure working with her on it, and I think it's a clever, breezy solve.

Here's Rachel:

Rachel Fabi (she/her) is a bioethicist and crossword constructor from Syracuse, NY. She is the creator and co-editor of These Puzzles Fund Abortion, which will be back for its seventh (!!) iteration in 2027. As a novice birder herself, Rachel can confirm that this puzzle is 100% autobiographical.

Like most barred variety cryptics, this puzzle is best enjoyed on paper, but can also be solved online using the Crossweird Solver.

We hope you enjoy the puzzle! We'll be back with more fun in two weeks.

Happy solving,
Steve + the AVCX Cryptics team