Comments on: Financial Times 13,690 by Monk

By: Conrad Cork

Conrad Cork — Thu, 12 May 2011 05:11:16 +0000

Sil

Well done. And that is precisely the point of fifteensquared. Everybody wins and the cause of crosswords is advanced. Especially, as you say, when the standard of blogging is as good as PeeDee’s – which to be fair, it usually is.

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Wed, 11 May 2011 21:53:53 +0000

I have never tried a Monk before, but I decided to give it a go today.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t make much of it, being in an ‘average mood’.
So I made another decision.
‘Reading’ the crossword with the help of PeeDee’s splendid blog.
Just to find out what kind of setter Monk is.
What devices does he like, what is the overall feel.
It was revelatory.
Certainly one of the setters at the upper end of the FT spectrum.

Next time I give it a go, properly …

By: shuchi

shuchi — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:04:18 +0000

Thanks PeeDee. This was certainly tough but a pleasurable workout. I got 8D through the crossings but didn’t understand it till I read your explanation. A very clever clue.

By: Thomas99

Thomas99 — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:55:22 +0000

I agree with Conrad Cork! But it was very satisfying to complete it in the end. I particularly like 8, 21, 10, 11, etc… I think I set off in the wrong direction on practically every clue!

By: Conrad Cork

Conrad Cork — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:20:36 +0000

Thanks PeeDee – and Monk. My brain hurts somewhat after this.