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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment *****
A stunningly good puzzle from Notabilis showing some very tidy cluemanship and trademark precision. I enjoyed this immensely. It took me 3* time to complete the grid, but it took a little longer before I had the full parsing for 17a, 19a, and 4d.… Read More
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Another elegant puzzle by Notabilis with fun wordplay, lovely indications and clever definitions. I managed to finish it before the school run though I only saw the parsing of 4d several hours later.… Read More
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
What we have today is a rare sighting of a Telegraph Toughie crossword that does what it says on the tin. A challenging solve, with plenty of entertainment along the way, requiring a serious amount of thought to both solve the clues and then parse/explain them. … Read More
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
A genuine toughie – this took me longer than the other three toughies this week combined! Uber-elegant clueing with trademark precision plus a hidden present of a Dutch masterpiece (thank you Notabilis!).… Read More
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BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment ****
A tricky puzzle that I finished in just over 2* time. Trademark seamless precision, lots of innovative wordplay and misleading definitions – including several clever part-of-speech misleads – made this a most enjoyable solve.… Read More
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
Notabilis is living up to his cheeky parrot name. A great puzzle which delights in its devious clueing, without being impossibly hard. Very original and a joy to solve.… Read More
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***/****
Another excellent puzzle from Notabilis with his trademark precision cluing – I enjoyed the down-specific indicators, exact instructions, clever definitions and clean anagrams. I was surprised it was all over for me in 2* time with 8d and 21d being the last to parse.… Read More
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
At the time of solving I did not know who the compiler was. The Nina hinted Sparks to me, but turns out I was wrong. CS e-mailed me to let me know it was Notabilis (many thanks Sue), and indeed, there is plenty of his trademark precision – though I didn’t find this one of his easier puzzles.… Read More
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ****
Another beautifully precise puzzle from Notabilis. I managed to finish this in what for me is 3* time, but in the top half I was helped by the Nina which I boldly entered before the answers – I can imagine it might take a little longer if you don’t do that.… Read More
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment *****
An excellent pangram from Notabilis with a nice Nina as well. This puzzle oozes exact clueing as usual, with lovely definitions and brilliant penny-drop moments. All very, very tidy – a work of art.… Read More
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