Cryptic crossword No 845

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Well done, Mary. I think this is my favourite of yours so far. You've taken fewer liberties, I feel, and the cluing is both tighter and fairer as a result. A few stretchy instances but far more forgivable. Favourites included: 1a, 14a, 26a, 30a (learned something with that one), 31a (and again - rather liked this trick), 3d, 5d (easy bit absolutely super clue), 16d, 20d (made me laugh), 27d, 28d (weird but it works). Spoilers in Reply. Thanks. PM

Really enjoyed this, probably the best of yours I’ve done. I particularly liked 15d, 12a, 5a, 1a and 26a. Your inventiveness is now being increasingly accompanied by a growing mastery of the craft of smart clueing. A couple of clues bamboozled me (like 28d) but I’m happy to say that is down to my general knowledge gaps 😁 Nice work

Thanks Mary, I agree with others that this is your most satisfying puzzle so far.Lots of big ticks: 1a, 5a, 9a, 14a, 26a (my COTD), 33a, 3d, 4d, 5d, 6d, 8d, 16d, 24d, 27d & 28d (very well clued for an obscure word). Spoilers ...

My comment seems not to have been posted which is a shame as it was full of praise and articulate complement! I shall be unfortunately brief in replacement- certainly my favourite of yours Mary, a very fun puzzle with lots of satisfyingly clever clues, particularly 1a, 5a, 10a, 11a (not seen that mechanism before but it's cute), 14a, 30a, 31a, 33a, 3d, 5d, 7d, 16d, 18d, 23d and 28d - a big old list and a happy solver, more please 😁