Comments on: Independent 7502 by Merlin

By: Wil Ransome

Wil Ransome — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:05:17 +0000

I don’t think anyone has said either of the following above, but apologies if someone has and I’ve missed it:

‘in’ in 10ac I took to = ‘alight’, as in ‘the fire’s in’

Neal I think that 5dn is simply a reversal not an anagram.

By: dram

dram — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 23:36:37 +0000

Thanks Merlin (and Neal for the blog), just right for my level, I always wish themed puzzles have a reasonably easy clue to get you into the theme and 13d fitted the bill perfectly

By: jetdoc

jetdoc — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:16:18 +0000

I too enjoyed this — ideal for a busyish Monday morning. No, Richard @2 — you’re not the only one (though, when I realised, I felt I should have been more careful).

By: Stella

Stella — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:35:17 +0000

Thanks NealH and Merlin.

It was immediately obvious that the way into this one was via 13d, and the adulteresses, including the falsely accused one are sufficiently well known to make solving a pleasure rather than a slog – though I had forgotten Lady’s Chatterley’s first name.

I think you’ll find in 15d. that ‘clear’='nett’, with two ‘t’s.

With regard to 10ac., though, you got closer to explaining it than I did

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:11:43 +0000

Yes, a very good puzzle, with some great clues and great presentation of the overall theme. Favourites, DIANA and NAME DROP. Re walruss’ comment at #4, it did, I think, say ‘falsely accused’ in the clue. Many thanks for the blog, NealH, and thanks to Merlin for the puzzle.

By: Conrad Cork

Conrad Cork — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:11:16 +0000

A gem of a puzzle, as we have come to expect from Merlin. Much enjoyed.

By: flashling

flashling — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:58:57 +0000

Nice try K’s D, I’m no-one will mention the score at all
Lovely little crossword, relatvely easy once 13 down was solved – an apt anagram that one.

By: Gaufrid

Gaufrid — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:19:17 +0000

Hi K’s D
I’ve no idea to what you are referring in your final paragraph. Please elucidate. Certainly nothing originated from me, I was busy with site maintenance at the time.

By: walruss

walruss — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:46:21 +0000

I would certainly not call Desdemona an adulteress! How libellous can 15 Squared get?!

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:21:26 +0000

Thank you, Neal.

I had a similar experience: I got the gateway clue at 13dn straightaway, then a few other easyish ones to get me going and reveal the theme; but then took an age to nail the final few clues.

When MORTAL SIN and SIGN OF THE CROSS appeared alongside ADULTERESS, I thought we were in for a bit of lapsed Catholic stuff; but the actual theme was very cleverly done, and was a pleasure for me because it showcased two of my favourite authors, D H Lawrence and Thomas Hardy.

Very good puzzle – on this form, I could handle Merlin a bit more often in the Indy.

By the way, for contributors to the blog on Friday, and others, I can reveal that I had a private e-mail from Gaufrid’s PA on Sunday afternoon around half three saying that there has been too much off-topic comment on football recently and that the subject must not be referred to under any circumstances today.