LISTENER CROSSWORD 4022 At arms length by Hotspur

[Clamzy]

Maybe all our prominent members are resting after last week's exertions, so I'll kick off this week's thread. Haven't had more than a glance at it yet and am not too familiar with this setter.

[Mysterons]

Yes, take our word for it , it can happen - most recently (and painfully !) in March last year - Listener 3975. Clamzy's example is actually from 2006 (Listener 3885) - scary how time flies !

PS Is it just a wild coincidence that this puzzle's title can be seen over on the right hand side of the grid ?

[Flocko]

Ah yes I remember both of those now. Two examples still counts as rare, though. And I maintain in this case that firstly, fictional characters are clearly expected, and secondly, there's a glaring example from a work that it could be assumed all solvers are familiar with. So I really don't think the alternative would be accepted.

[Deviant]

Oh well, back to this after a few minutes distraction on 4023. Now got 5 and probably 6, but B is definitely eluding me - assume it's by B****c, but still can't find a character other than the N one which is more obviously associated with O. Time for a guess methinks.

The 122(123) is all the more impressive, given that at least one entry has been deleted for referring too explicitly to answers.

[Clamzy]

Yes the lady B is by that author. However I don't see any deleted posts in this thread I still have 123. Who would delete it and why? This is the Answerbank after all.

[Deviant]

I'm sure I remember a reference to 13D's answer not being a character which I can't find now. Thanks for the confirmation - not that it actually helps as I was pretty certain ;)

[Mysterons]

No deleted threads as far as I can tell - perhaps you are referring to midazolam's posting a week ago (No. 42) as follows:

midazolam
Mon 23/02/09
08:33 got there in the end - struggled with this more than most. amazon of all sites got me over the finishing line
nice idea but there are several criticisms to this puzzle.

I feel with enough searching one could find 13 down as a member of the first set (and i think it does but it is not the obvious one) so it is not as sound as it could have been.

[Deviant]

I'm probably imagining it - after a week of staring at the same grid, anything is possible :) I thought I remembered a reference to the answer, but perhaps that was a mental translation of 13D to the answer.

Still can't find B's B with any amount of Googling, and I don't have the requisite reference guides - this is the first time I haven't been able to google such an answer. Not sure I dare buy yet another reference book - Mrs Deviant might get upset.

[perseverer]

Deviant - a Google of B + B in either order brings it up as the first choice?

[perseverer]

Are we talking about the same B in the first group?

[Deviant]

In that case, I must have got an answer wrong as none of the 6 B answers I have produce a match with a recognisable character. Difficult to see which one though as I'm pretty sure those 6 are all correct. Ah well, win some, lose some...

[Clamzy]

The character B in the first group is to be found top right of your grid. I thought you gave the correct author above B****c. As persevere said they are easy to find in Google, and you seemed certain in your reply to my last posting.

[perseverer]

Deviant - look back to Intotheblue's post, about no. 49 in this thread

[robinruth]

Deviant - I am coming back in here to prompt you that I was helped to understand the obscure wordplay about conjugal rights for that top right-hand corner. I thought the whole of that corner was fairly obscure!

[Mysterons]

Deviant,I reckon there are 7 answers beginning with B - maybe you need to take another look at 6 across ?

[midazolam]

the other way is to search for that member of the fisrt group in wikipedia - there is a separate link at the bottom under "see also". scanning through the list will give you your answer

[Deviant]

Thanks everyone - you are quite right - I'd chosen the wrong name at 6A. Must remember to go back and verify every answer if I get stuck.

[Clamzy]

137 is this a record?

[Mysterons]

How many letters please ?