Enigmatic Variations

“The left-hand and bottom perimeter cells represent empty supermarket shelves which must be ‘restocked’ (making new words) with the initial letters of the first 12 words of a song. One of its subsequent lyrics explains the specific item that was UNDERSTOCKED. Solvers must write the title below the grid and highlight the two artists (two blocks of cells in straight lines) responsible. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

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What sort of MAJORITY is Ifor testing us with this week – is it a political majority – wafer-thin Brexitian or 80-strong Johnson-ian; a ‘coming of age’ majority; or a military major-ity, like Major Major in Catch-22?

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“Single-letter misprints in the definition parts of 18 clues must be corrected before solving. The correct letters, read in order, describe the DARK AND STORMY speaker of the words around the perimeter of the grid, whose name must be highlighted (11 cells). Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

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It has been SHORTS weather a lot recently – has Piccadilly been putting his(?) knobbly knees on display?!

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“Three pairs of cells are TRAPPED by two symmetrically and thematically placed chains of 11 cells each. All 28 cells must be highlighted in the final grid to illustrate the TRAP. The three unclued entries of a kind are also thematically positioned. Two separate groups of consecutive clues (19 in total) contain a single superfluous letter in their wordplay. Reading these in clue order will give a hint as to where to find details of the TRAP. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

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Will this be O-MISSION Impossible from Chalicea? I am on a mission to find out…

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“The seven unclued entries are the names of an eponymous character whose nickname (55) should be written below the grid. With one exception, all clues contain a superfluous word which should be removed before solving; the initial letters of these words give the character’s location. The normal clue’s number gives the age of the character. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

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