Joshua Kosman
@joshuakosman
Retired classical music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Co-constructor, Out of Left Field cryptic crossword. . He/him
Count’s true friend (5) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I explore the social structures of Sesame Street. www.patreon.com/leftfieldcry...
Alien warrior finally invades, to have sex in Midwestern city (7) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers yesterday, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I attempt to unearth Klaatu's true motivation. www.patreon.com/leftfieldcry...
Lean Cuisine: the final helping is yours (5) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, a reminder that @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I are always happy to share our lo-cal frozen food. www.patreon.com/leftfieldcry...
When you absolutely, definitely understand the distinction between “fact” and “opinion”
Ghastly end of Habsburg lip (4) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I offer another little reminder about the dangers of inbreeding. www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
No disrespect to Bogart, Gould et al., but this is still the Philip no-final-E Marlow for me.
Plastic modeling bonanza (4,4) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I explore the financial upside of Mar-a-Lago Face. www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
Honestly I can't even joke about it. This poor baby haunted my childhood imaginings.
One riding a wave without beginning to feel more confident (5) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I offer a sympathetic tribute to newbies everywhere. www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
Thank you for asking! This is *by far* the best (new) novel I've read in the past five years or so. I liked All The Light We Cannot See just fine, but this one is miles better IMO.
Crosby on Ecstasy bender (5) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I revisit the drug-drenched past of Laurel Canyon. www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
I don't know how hard I'd push it. When Napoleon was banished to St. Helena, his captivity was overseen by a British naval officer whose bookish 15yo daughter left a memoir of the experience. This novel imagines the friendship that grew up between the two of them.
All of this is very true! I just want to add, though, that one time I bought a novel I'd never heard of, by a writer I'd never heard of, because the cover was *so great*. And the book was really good too, so I felt rewarded. I mean, could you resist this?
Like some music in Edmonton, Alberta (5) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I celebrate our favorite Procol Harum record. www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
Family lawyer-ish (5) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers yesterday, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I offer a little tribute to Barry Zuckerkorn. www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
Thanks Bach-Gesellschaft but it’s 2026 and I’m in no mood for choral clefs
Iranian capital claiming victory for competitor (5) In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I provide a quick update on America's loss of global hegemony. www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
Next concert program better include a version of Waterloo Sunset for Baroque period instruments, that’s all
Well I thought this was gonna be obvious before I checked the list, but come on