When I see the name Loroso on a puzzle the word that comes to mind is “devious” (as a setter not as a person!). This puzzle does nothing to dispel that thought. Loroso does everything he can to disguise his intentions here. One clue still eludes me. Thank you Loroso for a tricky puzzle.
PeeDee
AZED 2,285 – Give & Take
Hard! Normally I manage to finish AZED with just a paper copy of Chambers for aid. It may take more than one sitting but I get there in a reasonable amount of time. Not this week. I gave up trying to solve unaided early on and even using electronic aids I really struggled. At times I was basically cheating as I was trawling the web for information and using all sorts of word-search programs to try and make progress. Towards the end things got a little easier as the number of checking letters allowed me to revert to a more straightforward approach. Thank you AZED for a great challenge.
Financial Times 15,196 by IO
Io is the master, no doubt about it as far as I am concerned. This time he kindly lets me finish with the grid filled and everything explained. Thank you Io.
Independent on Sunday 1,360 by Kairos
I found this different to the usual IoS style, harder and less straightforward. Not a puzzle designed “to let everyone have a go” which I would say is the more normal Sunday theme.
Financial Times 15,190 by MONK
I made a flying start on this one but eventually ground to a halt in the bottom-right corner. Got there in the end though! Thanks Monk.
Guardian Prize 26,824 by Tramp
Thank you Tramp, a fun puzzle.
Financial Times 15,184 by REDSHANK
I very much enjoy Redshank puzzles. I cannot give any explicit reason why I find them so pleasing. The clues use just the same sorts of words and devices as every other crossword but somehow I find the end result more elegant than most. Thank you Redshank.
Financial Times 15,178 by GOZO
A super puzzle, and not an easy one. Thank you Gozo.
Financial Times 15,172 by MAGWITCH
I don’t get to blog Magwitch very often which is a shame as I really enjoyed this puzzle. Thanks Magwitch.
Independent on Sunday 1,356 by Hoskins
A good straightforward puzzle. Thank you Hoskins.
Financial Times 15,166 by GOZO
Super puzzle from Gozo. Thank you.
AZED 2,279 – Cherchez la Femme
I was a little apprehensive on seeing this puzzle as I had forgotten it was my turn to blog and so had to solve and explain all in a hurry. Fortunately the puzzle was not as difficult as it appeared to be from reading the instructions. Thank you Azed.
Guardian Prize 26,800 by Paul
There are a couple of clues here where I can’t decide if they are clever and witty or just plain daft. Whichever, enjoyable as always. Thanks Paul.
Financial Times 15,160 by ARTEXLEN
I would describe this as a bunch straightforward clues hiding in a forest of misdirection. Easy, if only one could see the wood for the trees. Thank you Artexlen.
Financial Times 15,154 by LOROSO
A tough puzzle. As the minutes ticked by I was worried that my attempt to solve and blog this might turn out an embarrassing failure, but in the end there is only one that I can’t fully explain. Thank you Loroso. Enjoyable in retrospect!