Clever. I didn't get many points and didn't know the hood connection. Looked it up - learned something. Thanks.

Great stuff!

Friendly reminder that this is not cryptic crosswords. Add the actual items, not another layer of puzzles -- if you need to add a question mark to the tiles, you're doing it wrong.

The cryptic approach is fine in my opinion and makes this unusual puzzle more interesting.

I like the cryptic clues, even if they are nothing like Only Connect. This one was insanely difficult to sort out though, because the cryptic bit is layered on top of the connections (as opposed to all hinting at the same word, as e.g. truecockney's work). Still respect the effort!

Good one. I see no reason to stick slavishly to the Only Connect style. This was hard, as advertised, but doable and different. Well done.

I like the cryptic ones too. I figured out some of the groups on this particular one, but must admit it defeated me.

Yah, this sort of thing only works with very simple groups, and ideally I'd like to be able to raise the time limit.

A week would be nice