Listener 4174: The Dentures of Sherlock Holmes by Salamanca

[Zabadak]

Unless I've gone seriously wrong, this easier than it first appears, though I'm still not sure of 15d. The definition seems to be a bit stretched and it's a bit of an exception to one of the rules. Otherwise the "quotation" forms early enough to make filling the rest of the pretty straightforward, and the thematic words, bar one for me, are familiar enough. Such PDM as there was came when I was struggling over the last few clues which didn't seem to translate into words and re-read the prologue. That's rule one, isn't it?
As ever, thanks to Salamanca and best wishes to all.

[Warden]

Don't think you mean 15d

[starwalker]

I enjoyed this from the moment that I saw the title. Each PDM brought a smile. So, I'm sorry that I thought it was fun, when I'm sure that others will hate it. C'est la vie and thanks to Salamanca.

[aldanna]

I thought there would be a string of posts commenting on how easy this is. Believe me, if I can finish it by now it really is easy. I was wondering whether (also how) to start a string when Z's post arrived. Not sure about Z's doubts, as I don't have a 15d.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, like Aldanna, I was waiting for someone to post, but it isn't the easiness of this one that I would comment on so much as the sheer delight of it - from the gentle laugh at the title to the lovely pdm. Great setting, thank you Salamanca!

[trux]

Whilst I think you are being generous with your praise (especially for one who uses a definition like the one in 6d), I have to confess that I also have been smiling while solving this. The title helps to raise the first titter. The first line of the preamble encourages mirth. The thematic stuff needs a bit of working out (though they would surely have been better had they more closely obeyed the example of the title). Overall, though, I am not convinced it's really up to Listener standard.

[dr b]

Easy, certainly. Not exactly packed with thematic material, though I guess there isn't that much thematic material to work with. So, 1 of 5 for difficulty, 2 of 5 for enjoyment. Sorry.

I suspect Z means 19d.

[Zabadak]

Dr b is spot on. 15d is impossible to solve!

[trux]

Certainly 15d was one of the harder ones (what with all those missing letters), lol

[Walterloo]

Like it, like it. The whole thing raised a smile. The definition in 6d raised an eyebrow. The solving of another easy Listener raised my fears that a super toughie is on its way very soon.

[sunny-dave]

Easy enough - clears the weekend for belated Burns Night revelry :+)

[AHearer]

A definite chuckle for the title (and how many players of the role can we imagine with a glass full of dentures on their bedside table? -- certainly not Benedict Cumberbatch), and after that fairly plain sailing. I'm sure there must be some reason why the statement is described as running 'from 1 to 9' rather than the usual 'clockwise from 1', but it escapes me.

[Alekhine]

Not much of a challenge. I'm becoming a bit of a wet blanket, I think.

I felt that some of the clues were 'loose' ... 30d is a good example, and 22a, but doubtless someone will put me right.

Fun enough though and a free weekend to fix that broken fence.

[Alekhine]

Egg on face. I see 22a clearly now.

*blush, blush*

[easylistener]

Very enjoyable, thanks Salamanca. Friday night for me for once!

[AndrewG-S]

Yes an entertaining challenge with a bit of thought needed to finish off the last few clues. Many thanks.

[tenflags]

I thought 30d was ok Alekhine.. managed to start this tonight and then finished it - whilst fun - when a 'rear gunner' like me finishes in a couple of hours it must rate as one of the easiest ones.

[silversolver]

I agree with all of the above, quite fun but not too challenging and all completed a bit too quickly...

[tilbee]

Yes another easy one, completed in a fraction over the hour. Sure we are in for a stinker soon. A couple of enjoyable twists, and getting the quotation certainly speeds up resolution of the final few clues.

[contendo]

It's always disconcerting when there's a unanimous chorus here about how easy a crossword is when one has been stuck for hours. Yes, most of it was easy and the "quotation" fell into place nicely, but I can find nothing to fit 19 or 27d in TEA or Quinapulus. I can only assume they've been thematically modified but I can't for the life of me see how.

[emcee]

Short solving time + straightforward clues = A brute in the near future.