Sunday Toughie No 191 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 21st September 2025
Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Sunday Toughie No 191 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 21st September 2025
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A very clever Sunday Toughie I really enjoyed solving last night, some typical Zandio Roman numbers and some great PDMs. The linked 14a and 18a are a particular favourite, along with 27a, but 24a gets the gold today. What were your favourites?
14a and 14d clues today, and I have hinted at half. I hope you find the checkers to fill the grid, and I will give a nudge or two if required, and entertaining Mama Bee permits.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 186 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 17th August 2025
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Almost forgot a pre-amble, An even 14a and 14d clues and I have hinted half. I hope you find the checkers to finish.
I will provide a bonus nudge if needed, not that I expect you will. This tripped off the laptop in a rather brisk fashion.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 182 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 20th July 2025
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A veritable herd of Wildebeest today and I really enjoyed it. When we were heading across the plain with nyala and gnu’s, I was sure we were heading to the Serengeti.
Some quite tricky constructions have hit the cutting room floor, I will try and give a nudge if you are struggling. Zandio brought us some devious manipulation of Roman numerals in his Friday backpager, and a similar (unhinted) construction appears again.
5d and 18a share the second step on my podium, just below 15a – which did you like?
Lurkers and anagrams are largely unhinted, and I have hinted 6 across and 8 down of an even 28 clues today. I hope you find enough checkers to find the rest.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 178 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 22nd June 2025
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A great Toughie from Zandio today, I managed to see it at about 11:30 last night and it didn’t take me much past midnight to fill the grid. Parsing it this morning took longer. The Spoonerism and nod to our new Tuesday Toughie blogger is probably my favourite today, but plenty of podium candidates.
I don’t think it is sufficient to call a theme but a couple of military units hit the cutting room floor, and another sneaks into 28a. I will try and nudge unhinted clues, if you identify some or all of the picture for 28a
We have 14a and 16d clues today and I have hinted half.
Sunday Toughie No 172 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 11th May 2025
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Before we get going on the hints, I have a favour to ask. I have managed to secure a ticket to see Bruce Springsteen in Liverpool on the 7th of June, and although I should be home in the wee small hours of Sunday the 8th it is also my birthday😁🎂, and I am looking for a volunteer to hint the Sunday Toughie that day. I will probably be tired/hungover but will be trying to solve myself so I can assist if required.
I started slowly last night but picked up the pace as checkers and linked clues helped. there are 14a and 14d clues today and I have hited half, further nudges may be available if you ask
Here we go…