ChatterBank2 mins ago
Listener No 4182 Breach of Contract by Ron
52 Answers
I've just got the theme and title and am, as usual, thoroughly enjoying this puzzle. The three different types of clue were a challenge to start with but it all works out very nicely. Many thanks for the entertainment, Ron.
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Started late and endured a hiatus with this one, but found it thoroughly absorbing. Two of the thematic answers had to be worked out by back-formation, and getting the title helped immeasurably with some of the down clues, especially those towards the bottom. Some very devious cluing, and very few of the altered words in the downs were obvious. Can't find Ron in the list of setters, so either A N Other Setter under another assumed name or a fine début. A proper Listener, anyway.
One minor grump in the cluing for 26 - just a bit too "saucy" for my taste, and I'm not usually all that PC. Perhaps later editions of Chambers than mine have been more pejorative.
One minor grump in the cluing for 26 - just a bit too "saucy" for my taste, and I'm not usually all that PC. Perhaps later editions of Chambers than mine have been more pejorative.
Interesting isn't it - this wasn't particularly hard, but because it was really clever, with some very nicely obscured clues (of three different types) and had a new (to me at least) way of hiding part of the theme information it was a genuine pleasure to do.
I was actually sad to have finished this puzzle - unlike some of the visits to 'Much Staring at the Grid' in previous weeks where all I wanted was the blessed release of completion.
I agree with silversolver - my favourite Listener so far this year :=)
I was actually sad to have finished this puzzle - unlike some of the visits to 'Much Staring at the Grid' in previous weeks where all I wanted was the blessed release of completion.
I agree with silversolver - my favourite Listener so far this year :=)
Not quite there yet but I'm enjoying this. Some lovely clues which at first appear totally impenetrable but eventually make complete sense when the logic becomes apparent. Some clues in the bottom half haven't yielded yet.
Re 26A, I think it's sad that there are some who want the language to be something other than it is. Shades of Bowdler.
Re 26A, I think it's sad that there are some who want the language to be something other than it is. Shades of Bowdler.
A delightful puzzle, my favourite of the year too. I had the "title" after solving half a dozen of the down clues, but there was still a lot of work to do. The idea is beautifully simple but must it have been a devil to construct the grid.
I must admit I struggle to find anything particularly louche about any of the clues. But then I am a devotee of Cyclops in Private Eye - a brilliantly-clued Rabelasian filth-fest which I recommend to anyone here who does not need to turn to the smelling salts when confronted by a properly racy clue!
I must admit I struggle to find anything particularly louche about any of the clues. But then I am a devotee of Cyclops in Private Eye - a brilliantly-clued Rabelasian filth-fest which I recommend to anyone here who does not need to turn to the smelling salts when confronted by a properly racy clue!