Cryptic crossword No 2,361

Super stuff. Loads to like, as always: 1a, 22a, 27a (fab def), 6d, 8d, 17d, 20d and 21d. I’ll even applaud your (slightly) cheeky 4d. Just the job for a lazy Saturday afternoon. Hats off.

Thanks Coot. Not a pushover by any means, and some very clever and amusing wordplay throughout. I particularly appreciated 9a, 10a, 26a, 27a(!), 4d, 6d, 18d, 25d among many others. In a couple of places the clever deception forced me into a letter reveal to make progress, but when parsed it was all fair. A couple of NHOs in clues for me (22a, 3d) but you learn something new every day… Thanks again!

You lead solvers on a complex dance for sure, and I didn’t manage to follow all the steps all the time (guessing and deduction and a few letter reveals were called on), but there were plenty of clues I did follow and lots of fun along the way. Faves included 9a, 11a, 19a, 22a, 27a, and 2d, 4d, 20d, 21d. 6d has a very cheeky and fun clue!

Solid puzzle, Coot. Everything fell into place. 10a, 18a, 26a, 3d, 4d, 17d, 18d and 21d my faves. Thanks. PM

Great fun Coot, thanks. I was fortunate enough to clue 28a quite recently in a not dissimilar way, so that helped! Favourites included 9a, 12a, 27a, 3d, and 20d(!).

Fantastic puzzle, really enjoyed with Panthera! (And not surprised at all at the great clues, honest! 😂) Thank you!

Thanks Coot nice post dog walk solve over a pint. Nice long anagrams to get me started

Thanks Coot, that was excellent (as expected) with my top picks being 1a (great surface), 10a, 11a, 24a, 27a, 17d, and 18d. I needed your notes to understand 14a & 21d. More in reply.

Nice one Coot… I was particularly taken by 4d! My other favourites were 9a 5d 18d and 11a. Cheers

Lovely stuff Coot, thanks for the puzzle. 1d put a smile on my face which persisted throughout, with other faves including 9a (neat), 11a (likewise), 26a (neat), 27a (nice), 4d (fun handling of a tricky word), 6d (excellent), 13d (neat), 17d (very neat), 21d (neat) and 25d (smooth).

Marvellous. Liked 12a, 19a, 3d, 6d and 13d. One ridiculously pedantic eyebrow movement in Reply! 😆

Thanks Coot, super stuff - faves include 12a of course, also 9a, 26a, 3d, 4d, 6d & 21d. Spoilers ...

Very nice Coot. Lots of very nice clueing. CD's are and either/or thing but 6d provided a lovely PDM and is my COTD. 1a, 27a, 3d, 13d, 25d also among my favourites. Thanks

These were my favorites: 12a, 19a (def), 24a, 26a ('with' was tricky), 4d, 17d, 18d. Thanks very much, Coot.

Struggled a bit with a few clues - I'm still learning. 6d made me smile. Thank you.