Listener 4526 Quads Iii By Shark

[kdgs2]

One word: wow! This was an incredible construction on a par with the original Quads from 2015. The subterfuge of the mutilated definitions was a new one for me, and each stage of solving was a delight. Best of the year (and what a year) so far for me.

[Hagen]

A very tough grid fill. For quite a while I didn't think I was going to get anywhere at all, and there were a few stragglers among the clues which took as long as the rest put together. A novel method of providing the message; the spacing changes reminded me of the "indeed/in deed" trick so beloved of some Guardian setters, but in this case it's hardly unfair if it's been signposted.

I'm not a fan of cut and paste but the I found the endgame much more straightforward than most puzzles of this type. I'll admit I used t'interwebs to find out how to cut and reassemble the remaining section.

Very clever - thanks Shark.

[IainGrace]

A tough challenge and, like Hagen, no fans of “Blue Peter” style finales but good fun. (Noted that the latest announced winner of the Inquisitor - the theme being the rock band The Velvet Underground - is that noted rock and roller J.E. Green.)

[emcee]

Another amazing puzzle with another amazing construction. This has to be the finest year for Listener puzzles I can remember.

When reading the preamble I thought I'd met my Waterloo; however, contrary to my original misgivings, I actually enjoyed solving the 33 special clues once I realised the best way to tackle them.

I was thrown somewhat with the penultimate down clue as I had treated it as the wrong type of clue!

Many thanks, Shark -- brilliant!

[starwalker]

This was a struggle, and no mistake. For some reason I found the lower half of the grid much harder to fill, not that the top half was easy !
Getting the instruction allowed me to complete the "Blue Peter" element and also fill one or two otherwise empties. Full completion achieved by some very hard and meaningful staring at previously obscure clues. The messaging system was also new to me.
Thanks Shark, for this year's stretch.

[sunny-dave]

Probably the hardest puzzle of the year so far - certainly the best of an already exceptional year.

Crunchingly difficult clues (even without the misprints and odd spacing), then some delightful message decoding and finally a double excursion into Blue Peter territory - many thanks to my nimble-fingered amanuensis gness, without whose help it would all have descended into a sticky mess.

Stunning - thanks Shark

[gness]

I wasn't being helpful.....I was protecting my dining table....I have seen Dave with spray glue and sticky back plastic.... :-(

[icynorth]

Shark, if you're reading this, you've got too much time on your hands!

Astonishing construction to have the first reassembled grid with real words throughout and also to include those hidden items in both.

I've been disappointed with the lack of innovation in the themes, constructions and devices in recent weeks, but this made up for it in spades. Thank you!

[12barblues]

Got there! Continues the easy-tough pattern ( this being the tough end of course). Very clever construction and devilish clues.

[olichant]

Brilliant. Once the pennies started dropping, I was genuinely in awe. One or two odd surface readings, perhaps, but it's easy to see why, and they were more than justified by what was to follow. I should have trusted Shark from the get go! What a puzzle. Don't know how you can create something like this.

[olichant]

As an aside, does anyone know what's become of George v the Listener? I always enjoyed his write-ups.

[Warden]

Brilliant puzzle. But 'A' or 'E' in answer to 24 across? I feel I could justify either!

[kdgs2]

Warden, I hope I'm not giving too much away in pointing out that the preamble says that the changes in spacing occur in the definition only.

[Warden]

Thanks for that kdgs2. Note to self: pay more attention to preambles!