Comments on: Independent 7608 Tyrus (Sat 05-March-2011)

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:35:05 +0000

I think this is one of the best cryptic puzzles to have appeared in the Indy, thanks, Tyrus, and beermagnet for the blog.

By: Jim T

Jim T — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:03:53 +0000

Thanks very much for the blog and comments. Glad you liked the theme.

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:31:23 +0000

I spotted ‘transom’ but thought it was just coincidence, so thanks, beermagnet, for the explanation of that and of 6/21/22. Although I worked it out I was puzzled by 6/21/22 as I couldn’t place the phrase – I can’t recall having seen that one on a sticker, although I have seen those plastic ‘fingers’ supposedly trapped by the boot lid.

By: scchua

scchua — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:59:04 +0000

Thanks beermagnet for the blog and Tyrus for a really inventive puzzle.

While looking at the Indy category page for a previous blog, couldn’t help but notice “rear window” in your preamble. Forced myself to ignore this hint while solving and I think I largely succeeded, didn’t enter 23 until I had all it’s checking letters. The long 6 21A 22D was cracked via the 6-2-3 enumeration and the available letters in “horrible woman into”. The other solutions linked to 23 came quite easily after that. Favorites were 10A GRACE KELLY, which in turn confirmed 7A, 12D WRONGNESS and 21D ICIEST.

By: anax

anax — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:56:05 +0000

…and actually, having just read the 6/21/22 clue again – it’s rather brilliant isn’t it?

By: beermagnet

beermagnet — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:45:57 +0000

Thank you Anax for Parsing M-i-L in boot.
I forgot to mention had 2D THWART as my favourite too.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:49:25 +0000

Many thanks for a super blog, beermagnet – and lucky you for having drawn such a super puzzle!

I can’t add much to anax’s comment. Like him, I took a while to see the secondary theme [I thought, of course, we were in for yet another film puzzle].

NODDING DOG was the breakthrough – and, yes, it was a laugh-out-loud moment. Nice to see some fun to be got from those irritating signs!

Like anax, I didn’t get the Nina [yet again ]

Huge thanks, Tyrus, for a gem of a puzzle.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:45:25 +0000

Thanks, beermagnet.

I don’t normally buy the Saturday Indy, but I was pleased I did last weekend, because this was a fun, and funny, puzzle. I struggled to get the gateway clue, but to be fair, there were two cracks at it with the Hitchcock reference, and once in, the themed clues became apparent. I would wager that this is the first time that MOTHER-IN-LAW IN BOOT has been a cryptic answer.

I thought DRAGOMAN was the cleverest, and funniest, clue, which tells you everything you need to know about my relationship with my mother-in-law.

A fine puzzle, thank you Tyrus.

By: anax

anax — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:27:44 +0000

I’ve been waiting eagerly for this blog! This was one of the most enjoyably themed puzzles I’ve ever tackled – took me a long time to see how the theme was being (doubly) used and just the concept of it – never mind the clues themselves – was a laugh-out-loud moment. Just a brilliant theme.

For the multiple first answer I have it as an anagram of HORRIBLE WOMAN INTO (compartmen)T minus an R.

Unfortunately, with a week having elapsed I can’t remember specific stand-out clues but I do remember enjoying this one tremendously from start to finish, and only reading your review reminds me that I noted 27a and 2d as favourites.

A cracking puzzle, this. Great effort from Tyrus. And no – sadly I missed TRANSOM.