Doesn't work for me at all. All of those examples are juxtapositions. As a solver, if your puzzle beat me by using link words like that, I'd feel cheated.
A small contribution to this: I've just finished watching Simon Anthony solve last Friday's Times crossword. He paused to wax lyrical having just solved an &lit with 'criminal' as the anagrind. As a solver, he absolutely loved it.
Unfortunately there is still no 225 blog on this one, mate. I shall look forward to seeing it later in the day but will record my enjoyment of the puzzle here. Well done. You got me with the third of those you have chosen to highlight.
