Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31178
Hints and Tips by Deansleigh
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ****
Good morning from a sunny and springlike South Hampshire. Once again we have an excellent midweek puzzle, with some cracking clues. This was the hardest of the week for me so far, mainly because it took me a while to identify the Russian spymaster in 3d. The clues that made it to my (somewhat overcrowded) podium today were 4a, 9a, 2d, 14d and 19d, with 9a the winner by a whisker. Many thanks to today’s setter.