I can’t remember Azed using this particular combination of devices before, although he may have done so under a different name. So far as the across clues are concerned, it is known as “letters latent”, and the last time Azed used that device was in puzzle 1914. It certainly presented a substantial challenge to the solver, although it must have been even more of a challenge to the setter. First he had to select an appropriate quotation of the right length: here it was “the uncertain process of letter-writing” (George Eliot), and then remove letters from the across solutions and add them to the down ones. Constructing the grid must have taken him hours, if not days.
For the sake of clarity, I’ve shown the untreated answers in the across clues, with the missing letters highlighted. For the down clues I’ve included the additional letters, again highlighted. Explanations of wordplay refer of course to the solutions as entered in the diagram. I’m struggling to explain 17 down so suggestions please.
Unfortunately, I was unable for some reason to use PeeDee’s program when compiling the blog, so the clues are not shown, but here is a link to the pdf of the puzzle.
| Across | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TATTIE-CLAW | IE C in A LAW |
| 6 | HUBCAP | *CAB in UP |
| 11 | EPOPEES | Cryptic definition |
| 12 | AQUACULTURE | QA in *CARTEL |
| 13 | NONCHALANCE | (m)OCHA, L ACE |
| 15 | RACKETEER | RAKE, TEER |
| 16 | LIEFER | IF between L and R |
| 18 | ROSEAL | 0, SEAL |
| 19 | SCRIPTURISTS | *(SIR, SIR, CUPS) |
| 21 | SCOREBOARDS | CORE, B in *DROSS |
| 23 | NILGAIS | NL, GAS |
| 26 | MOUNT | MOUT(h) |
| 27 | PALPITATES | ALIT, A(rrow), SET(rev) |
| 29 | GROUND-BEAR | *(DUG A BONE). Another name for the brown bear |
| 30 | IRONSTONES | *NERNST in IS |
| 31 | OCTET | E(nergy) in OTT |
| 32 | SINEWED | W in SIND |
| 33 | SEWERAGE | EWER, AGE |
| Down | ||
| 1 | APOLLSINARIS | A POLL’S, *RAISIN |
| 2 | IOCE | IOC, E |
| 3 | EPHOFR | E(xtreme) P(ressure), OF in HR. One meaning of “of” is “aged” |
| 4 | LALRD | L(ive)R in LAD |
| 5 | WACKERES | (h)ACK in WERE, S |
| 7 | BLOTSSOMED | BLOTS, SO, MED |
| 8 | CTREE | C, TREE |
| 9 | ARGEAND | Hidden in “large Anderson” |
| 10 | PERRLUSTRATE | PER, R(ule), LUST RATE |
| 14 | APRICATESW | *CAPRI, ATE, SW |
| 17 | DUROTONE | ROT in DUONE? |
| 20 | COLLARI | COL, LARI |
| 22 | ROBBTA | BB in ROTA. The reference is to the Italian sculptor Francesco Robba |
| 24 | GIINN | I in (G INN). Khan can mean an inn |
| 25 | ESNSE | ESNES with the final two letters reversed |
| 28 | SEEG | GEES(rev). I didn’t know that “gee” to a horse means to move to the right |
Thanks for the blog, bridgesong.
For 17d: charge=DUE, worthless stuff=ROT, in progress=ON
Thanks Bridgesong for the blog. I agonized over 13Across, as the definition seemed to be ‘being indifferent’ which. to me, indicated ‘nonchalant’ as opposed to ‘nonchalance’. No doubt someone can tell my why I was wrong.
Thanks for the blog, Bridgesong – beautifully set out.
I failed to complete this one. It would have helped if the quotation had been easier. I got as far as, ‘The uncertain … letter …’ with odd letters in between.
I agree, it must have taken ages to compile – quite a triumph. The removal and addition of letters was more of a Genius puzzle twist. I enjoyed the three-quarters which I managed to solve.