July 4, 2014 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 1217

Toughie No 1217 by Elgar

For the man without whom…*

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BD Rating – Difficulty *****Enjoyment *****

It has been six weeks since we had a visit from Vlad the Impaler and he makes a welcome return with a right proper Toughie.  Took a while to get going – I had a couple of clues solved and then stared at the grid for longer than it took me to solve Tuesday’s ‘Toughie’!.  Once I got on to Elgar’s ‘wavelength’ it slowly but surely all fell into place.  Lots of clever sneakiness in the clues and so,  even if  I incur the wrath of the “favourites police”, I’m going to go ahead and admit that I have five favourites today.

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DT 27533

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27533

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment **

My apologies for the late posting, but it had totally slipped my mind that Deep Threat had advised me that he was unavailable today due to a family bereavement. I’m sure some will enjoy this somewhat pedestrian Giovanni puzzle, but I am not among them.

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DT 27528

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27528

A full review by crypticsue

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BD Rating – Difficulty */**Enjoyment ***

This puzzle was published on Saturday, 28th June 2014

Someone asked on Saturday how we know who the setter is – well Saturdays usually follow a pattern and this should be the turn of Cephas rather than the Mysteron.   I have typed the word anagram seven times not including the one in this introduction, and so for me there is no doubt whatsoever that this was a Cephas Prize Puzzle.

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