Cryptic crossword No 3,914

Thanks Gennaro. I was immediately suspicious of what you were up to and chose the correct first four clues to solve which were enough to do what I was being told to do, as the rest of the solve confirmed. So I felt quite smug 😏 A nice smooth puzzle overall, with a special mention for 21a, 22a, 31a, 3d, 5d, 7d, 20d and 24d. Just one technical question…

That was a wake-up morning exercise Gennaro! I particularly admired 12a, 20a, 28a, 1d, 2d, 4d among others. It was the NW and SE corners that slowed me down, but your trademark nina helped get me over the line. A couple of head-scratchers in there but nothing to complain about. Much appreciated!

Thanks Gennaro. A very smooth solve this morning. My picks were 12a, 16a, 2d, 3d and 25d. I did spot the message, cleverly hidden. 12a was fine by me as I took the two elements as being separate by virtue of the 'with'.

A nice gentle start to the week, thanks Gennaro. Interested in your wordplay for 13a which I had in my last - I was going to start with POSTED or DISPATCHED but thought I would get 'too same-sidey' comments! I think 20d is my top pick followed by 21a, 19d, 1d, 3d, 2d, 12a

Thanks Gennaro satisfying solve with faves being 21a 26a 31a 6d and 24d, cheers 🕷️

CotD 5d

Good afternoon! Great stuff as usual, friend. Faves: 20a, 23a, 7d, 17d, 19d (COTD!).

Alas, I did not spot your extra cleverness, but this was still an enjoyable puzzle. Mostly smooth, but I was held up a bit in the NW. It must be a quite challenge clueing so many shorter words, and some of those were among my faves: 21a,2d,6d. Also liked 9a,13a,23a and 5d,20d

Thanks for a fun and smooth solve Gennaro. I haven’t been around these parts much recently but I’m glad I dropped by. Lots of good stuff here. I particularly liked 20a, 23a, 26a, 1d, 2d, 3d and 6d (COTD). Spoiler …

Lovely work as ever, Gennaro, lots of fun. The ‘thing’ was a bit less obviously placed that I usually expect but all came good in the end. Loved 6d as even though it’s a straightforward device, the surface is so buttery-smooth 👏 one tiny technical observation in the reply. Thanks!

Hi Gennaro. Good fun as always. In particular I enjoyed 5d, 6d, 12a, 22a and 31a

Enjoyed this one welcome relief from the mire of difficulty I often find myself in here. Thank you for your consideration writing a grid a clear as this is so very difficult just spot on I’ll be back if this is how you set cheers

Thanks Geranno for a breezy solve with my favourites being 24a, 26a, 1d, 11d, and 16d. I found all of the wordplay quite clear. Small point: in 23d I think you meant 'Eastern', not Easter.