Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
This was trickier than your average Giovanni Toughie (but maybe not as tricky as the back page puzzle). It was an enjoyable puzzle and, as always with a Giovanni puzzle, the clues were perfectly fair. I did waste time trying to justify a couple of incorrect answers but eventually saw the light and inserted the correct answers.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
I had heard a rumour that Elgar was returning to the back page after a long absence and if this isn’t it I’ll eat my 18 across. Although this is not as beastly as some of his Toughies, most of his usual tricks are to be found here. I know that some are going to find this difficult, but all of the clues can be solved with perseverance.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
A puzzle by Micawber is the very thing to cheer me up on a freezing winter’s morning. This is not one of his more difficult ones but is excellent entertainment.
Let us know your opinion and please take the time to register your enjoyment factor by clicking on one of the stars below.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Hola from the Vega Baja.  Another treat from Jay which I found both tricky and amusing in places. A 2* solving time (but very close to 3*) but the variation in difficulty between the clues is quite large, similar to last week’s puzzle.
There seem to be quite a lot of “take the first and/or last letter” type of clues this week but no substitution clue.
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Busman returns to the Toughie fold after a nine-month absence with an excellent puzzle. I have complained in the past about some of his puzzles being too easy, but this one hits the right level for a Tuesday puzzle.
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ***
Last Tuesday’s puzzle inspired a volley of complaints about its difficulty but I’m pretty sure that we won’t have the same reaction today. This one is a bit of a pussycat but it’s ideal for those trying to get to grips with what cryptic crosswords are all about. Let us know how you got on.
To reveal an answer slide your cursor through the space between the curly brackets under the clue.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I get to review another Monday Rufus today, while Mme. Libellule’s recuperation continues. This one was typical of what we have come to expect – light and breezy, with nothing to get heated about. Enjoy it, and let us know what you think.
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Many thanks for all the marvellous comments yesterday – I was able to read several of them during the festivities.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the more difficult clues and provide hints for them.
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 Bigging It Up
Welcome back to Alchemi with a fun filled feast of anagrams (15) and other clues. The review is a little brief as I am heading off for the Cruciverbalists’ Convention (aka drinking) at the Bridge House.
There is one major theme of compartives in the crossword and an large number of games too.
My favourite clue was 13a. Drop by and let us have your comments.
