Spectator 2579

[Emmceeyell]

All done bar 25ac. Any hints welcome!

[LancastrianOik]

That's a tough one. The answer seems to be a plural, but the singular is listed in Chambers CW Dictionary under "bible". To parse it, you need to think of an abbreviation for "method of working", add. "as a" then reverse the whole thing. The answer is surprising to say the least!

It's an offaly clever clue.... (I'll get me coat).

[Neveracrossword]

LancastrianOik, I liked your nudging! I laughed when I solved that clue this morning - like one or two others, it was quite crafty.

I really enjoyed this one, there were lots of great clues. I think we might see quite a few requests for help, this one's certainly harder than Doc's puzzles.

[Emmceeyell]

Thanks - had the answer but couldn’t connect to Bible… all done now!

[jazzgirl]

Quite a challenge which I have enjoyed, but just have 33 and 34 to complete, hoping that 34 starts with S ?

[Emmceeyell]

It does indeed.

[jazzgirl]

Thanks Emmceeyell. All complete now

[Emmceeyell]

Cue familiar theme music…

[jazzgirl]

You've lost me there Emmceeyell :(

[Neveracrossword]

Jazzgirl, i think it's an allusion to the theme (as yet unmentioned).

[jazzgirl]

Ah yes ! Rather nice considering recent news. Ta NACW

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, jazzgirl. I like there to be a variety of themes, erudite and otherwise...

[johnpiper]

All but done. I have 4 out of the 5 names including one sneaky use of length indicators. But i am struggling with 4 down where i have 4 of the five checkers. Cant see what 4th letter would be.
Also first letter of the unclued 17d
32d wonderfil grain to swallow (5) i have Great but not sure
All help greatly appreciated
Thx

[jazzgirl]

4d is a character in one of 10's books

[jazzgirl]

Gr abbev. for grain + eat - swallow

[jazzgirl]

I guessed the first letter of 17d as L for two reasons - one starts a work and is quoted in several ways, but...

[roslyn251254]

17d ..i have 1st letter as C ...paired up with 4d??
fictional town for 42a?

[jazzgirl]

Well solved roslyn.... I missed that one :(

[jazzgirl]

Mrs 4d at a certain establishment in 10d led me astray !

[johnpiper]

Thanks
i find some of the conventions in the Spectator crossword rather baffling. I don't think that i have ever seen grain abbreviated to GR or maybe that is connected to jewelry?

So that leaves 32 down as REA?

[jazzgirl]

32 read(y) almost inclined. read = to solve (Chambers)
gr is shown as abbrev. for grain in Chambers