A mixed bag, this, I thought. Some very smart stuff, but also a few clunkers that whiffed of short-cuttery.
Ringo
Financial Times no.14,646 by Peto
An easyish Thursday morning stroll, this, with just enough in it to kickstart the brain but straightforward enough to get through before the coffee goes cold.
Financial Times no.14,640 by Jason
I struggled a bit with this, never quite feeling that I was on the setter’s wavelength.
Financial Times no.14,628 by Orense
Not a great deal to say about this one…
Financial Times no.14,622 by Sleuth
Not a bad puzzle, this, but a rather workmanlike one.
Financial Times no.14,616 by Neo
People who like this sort of thing will find that this is the sort of thing they like.
Financial Times no.14,610 by Redshank
After a very slow(-witted) start, during which I crept hesitantly round the edge of the grid and worked my way laboriously inward, it became apparent that tthis was something of a tour de force by Redshank.
Financial Times no.14,599 by Orense
A sparkling lesson from Orense in how to make a puzzle both easy-peasy and a joy to solve. I was left, if not entirely grumble-free, then certainly entertained.
Financial Times no.14,593 by Wanderer
Rather a stroll, this, from Wanderer, with a couple of unsatisfying little glitches.
Financial Times no.14,587 by Magwitch
A solid, not-over-exciting but enjoyable puzzle from Magwitch today.
Financial Times no.14,581 by Gozo
A funny one, this. I’ll be interested to see what everyone made of it.
Financial Times no.14,575 by Sleuth
One of us – either me or the FT crossword – was a bit zestless this morning. No real complaints, but not Sleuth’s most dazzling performance.
Financial Times no.14,569 by Artexlen
A smart, enjoyable puzzle. The minor grumbles were easily outweighed, for me, by the clever clueing.
Financial Times no.14,563 by Peto
Nothing too challenging, one or two minor grumbles, the odd zinger, and all-in-all a pleasant Thursday solve.
Financial Times 14,557 by Sayang
This was one of those terrible puzzles that allowed me to get around three-quarters of the way through, thinking it a complete doddle, then brought me up short with a handful of utter stinkers.