From a quick search of the site, this appears to be Commoner’s 3rd Indy puzzle, and certainly the first one I have solved. On this form, I can only assume that he/she must have been setting elsewhere first, as this was really impressive stuff. A nice selection of words in the grid and elegant, Dac-esque clues throughout. More please!
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | SHRUG OFF – SHRUG + O(ld) + FF (very loud) |
| 5 | ABSENT – BSE in ANT |
| 9 | GOGOL – GO + GO + L(eft) |
| 10 | TINCTURED – T (type of shirt) + (TUNIC)* + RED |
| 12 | SLACKER – L(eft) in SACK + RE: rev. |
| 14 | NATURAL – Double def. |
| 15 | YOUNG PRETENDER – YOUNG (litter) + PRE (in front of) + TENDER (sensitive) |
| 17 | SHEPHERDS PURSE – SHEPHERD’S PIE with [-n]URSE for I.E. |
| 18 | ON STAGE – HIdden in priSONS TAG Ex-cons |
| 20 | VATICAN – I(taly) in V.A.T + CAN |
| 22 | SPECTATOR (PROTECTS A)* |
| 23 | SWARM – R(iver) in SWAM |
| 24 | PSEUDO – DUES rev. in P(ost) O(ffice) |
| 25 | DEADHEAD – E (drug) in DAD + HEAD (toilet) |
| Down | |
| 1 | SIGHS – “Size” |
| 2 | RIGMAROLE – RIG + MA + ROLE |
| 3 | GEL – LEG rev. |
| 4 | FUTURE PERFECT – Cryptic def. |
| 6 | BITE THE DUST – (TEST BUT HIDE)* |
| 7 | ERROR – RR in ROE rev. |
| 8 | TIDDLER – T(ime) + D(own) in IDLER |
| 11 | NONSENSE VERSE – (EVENNESS)* in NORSE |
| 13 | KIND-HEARTED – KIN + [-constabl]E + ART in HE’D |
| 16 | DESECRATE – (THE SACRED)* with [sw]E[et] for H(usband) |
| 17 | SHOWS UP – SHOW’S UP |
| 19 | SCENE – “Seen” |
| 21 | NOMAD – DAMON rev. |
| 23 | SAD – SYD (James) with a change of heart! |
As far as I know, he has only had the Indy puzzles published nationally. I agree with you, his puzzles are a pleasure to solve.
Commoner has posted many puzzles on his own site:
http://commonercryptics.wordpress.com/
and a further two on mine.
The first Commoner puzzle I’ve solved – very enjoyable.
SHRUG meaning ‘Cardigan’ was new to me; it’s not in Chambers (1998) but I found it in Collins.
SHRUG – it’s in the current Chambers (12th edition).
Shrug was obviously right but lost on me. Have met Commoner at the s and b wapping. If he’s not male he’s the least believable drag queen I’ve met and quite a nice chap. Good stuff commoner, do come again.
I liked 20a, 23a, 4d, 10a, 9a, 3d and my favourite was 11a NONSENSE VERSE.
New words for me were ‘SHEPHERDS PURSE, SHRUG = ‘cardigan’, and after reading this blog, HEAD = ‘toilet’.
Thanks for the blog, Ali. I couldn’t parse 14a (I still don’t get the “in a pack, not wild” bit), 25a, 1d.
michelle at #6, 14A refers, I think, to a pack of cards. A ‘natural’ card is not wild like eg a joker.
nmsindy@7
thanks for explaining that to me.
This was the first Commoner I have solved and after a slow start, I must say, I really enjoyed it.
Big Dave sent us to Commoner’s website where I found out that he has written more than 100 crosswords! Not a match for the Rufuses of the world but certainly quite a lot for someone whose works haven’t been published in the broadsheets frequently.
A pity that the website didn’t give any information about the setter himself.
Lots of fine clues.
I especially liked NONSENSE VERSE (11d), SHEPHERD’S PURSE (17ac), KIND-HEARTED (13d) and SWARM (23ac).
Only weak clue (IMHO) 23d: SAD.
One has to change the only letter that is not checked which I think is a bit pointless.
Oh, and a special plus for ERROR (7d) – well clued, avoiding the obvious!
Thanks, Ali.