The Magpie is a subscription crossword magazine following in the footsteps of Mike Rich's Tough Crosswords. It appears monthly and each issue contains at least 4 thematic cryptics and one mathematical puzzle.
The standard of the puzzles covers a fairly broad spectrum from "A" (which is defined as being only slightly more difficult than a standard broadsheet cryptic) through "C" (about as hard as an average Listener) all the way to "E" (very few correct solutions expected). £10 prizes are offered each month on a "first out of the hat" basis for correct solutions to the previous month's Magpie puzzle, the mathematical puzzle and for solvers achieving at least 4 correct solutions out of 5 for the previous issue. Personal solver records are also maintained.
Subscription costs £35 a year.
Anyone interested in subscribing should write to:
The Magpie
Court Lodge
3 Layhams Road
West Wickham
Kent
BR4 9HJ
United Kingdom
for a free trial issue or email one of the editors, Simon Anthony and Mark Goodliffe.