Cryptic crossword No 3,089

Very nice and clever to put the Nina not round the edge as we have come to expect. 10a, 11a, 20d my favourites.

So nice of you to put up great puzzles on Monday to distract me from school prep. Much appreciated! Faves: 9a, 11a, 15a (just did something like that myself, coming soon), 18a (nice), 24a, 4d is very "rocking," definitely my COTD, 16d. Nina completely escaped me. I had to look it up and now see it! Wowza. Thanks much for expanding my musical palette.

Thank you, a smooth start and then got a bit stuck until the hidden duo fell into place (that was within my GK, thankfully). Favourites 7a, 9a, 1d (&lit?), 8d, 18d, 20d.

Hi Gennaro, having solved 1d I was keen to discover the hidden duo (being a resident there myself). I have to admit I haven't heard of them! Also took some time to see the nina and work it out - however I enjoyed solving, faves 5a, 11a, 3d, 4d, 7d, 18d, thank you

I don't feel my week has begun until I've done your puzzle, and you posted a bit later than sometimes, so by Tuesday morning I was getting desperate! Favourites include 5a,15a,23a and 3d,6d,16d. Still can't spot Nina (so much harder when you don't know where to look!)

Very enjoyable! Having now identified you as the master of the nina I sniffed this one out after completing the NW corner and googling relevant duos. Slightly cheating but it helped me complete the puzzle in the time available- as did the 7a nature of the clues themselves. Good exercise in letter selections I thought. Faves included 5a, 7a, 11a, 18a, 3d, 4d and 14d. Thanks!

Thanks Gennaro - I was happy to spot the duo in time enough for it to be helpful and will likely listen to them while working on your Unch puzzle, which I am greatly looking forward to. Additional comments to follow as soon as time allows. Thanks again!

Nice one Gennaro, thanks. I enjoyed the variation although I don’t know the duo so it was never going to be much help to me. Thankfully I was able to solve this one without the usual leg up. Favourites: 13a, 22a, 23a, 3d, 18d and 20d.

Thanks Gennaro. Enjoyable puzzle though, on this occasion, the nina is nho so remained unspotted. Says something about my advanced age that I was looking in the grid for Eurhythmics to start with! 1d, 6d and 17d my podium in this one. Thanks. PM