Guardian 25,185

[mikey4444]

25a..."Lament for the bretheren Odysseus had lost" (8) I have it either THRENODE or THRENODY. Both means a lament and both spellings appear to be acceptable in the dictionary. I presume that Odysseus comes into somewhere. So which is it and why ?

[kayakamina]

In the clue ...breTHREN ODYsseus

[mikey4444]

STOP PRESS ! I have just seen the answer ! Its a Y as the word is in the actual clue itself verbatim....very clever clue don't you think ?

Is Araucaria the best and most difficult compiler around these days ? Discuss !

[kayakamina]

Araucaria is a very good setter but by no means the most difficult in my view.

[mikey4444]

Kayakamina....your views on who is the most difficult setter would be interesting to know !

[greencj01]

I think Araucaria is the best compiler - not because his crosswords are the most difficult but because they are the most fun - his themed puzzles are always a delight.

[jubilee5684]

Araucaria is the best - his large-size specials must be fiendishly difficult to set, as well as being magnificent to complete. May he live forever!

[dzug2]

TBH I find Brummie and Paul more difficult than Araucaria, most of the time anyway. All of them seem to set puzzles with a range of difficulties.