Listener 4638 - Head-Start Clues By Elgin

[upsetter]

Lots of thematic material.

Great fun, thanks Elgin.

[Philoctetes]

I agree, but... I thought some of the clues were rough and poor, stretching definitions a tad. Still, another that kept going till the end,

[upsetter]

@Piloctetes - the setter is a bit too keen on the subtractive anagram technique.

[upsetter]

@Philoctetes - my apologies for the typo.

[Hagen]

I loved Elgin's last puzzle (4487) themed on the film The Ladykillers. The PDMs just kept on coming and it was one of the most satisfying Listeners I have ever solved. This one, with a quick gridfill followed by hours of frustration trying to get the endgame to work, I enjoyed rather less. It's my fault that I was misled, but even though I've fulfilled all the requirements and completed it, I still have a feeling that I'm missing some subtleties.

[perseverer]

One of those puzzles where you read the preamble, and decide to worry about it later. The grid fill was not too difficult, especially once you got an idea of the theme, but I did initially consider a different more modern hunter. For a while I was convinced there was an error in the preamble, but once you believed all the information you were given it was clear how to complete the end-game. I rather liked the clueing, but each to his own tastes.

[Eagledave]

I think this is absolute quality.

Huge amounts of thematic material in grid and clues and it’s clear that thought has gone into the other answers too such as the similar answers to 2 and 11 and some of the rhyming stuff in the middle.

The anagrammed title is a nice touch but having a totally viable second option for the successful hunter that is only resolved by the letters in the (in effect) unclued entries is the icing on the cake for me - just brilliant!

[Scorpius]

Until recently the unwritten rule was that hints should not be given to aid other solvers. As it's unwritten some may not be aware of it. In the last few weeks there have been at least two posts that have given the game away without any 'spoiler' alert

I won't say anything about the puzzle except to say I don't really agree that some clues are poor. Many were inspired and gave pleasure throught the solving. I wish more setters would put as much effort into their clues. After last week's mundane clueing this was an absolute feast.

[NickorWan]

A terrific puzzle as you might expect given it’s by Elgin. The endgame troubled me more than it should have done, but led to a lovely pdm. I agree with Scorpius re the clues and thought some were brilliant. Thanks very much.

Merry Christmas to all, and stay safe over the holiday. Will we get a Listener on Christmas day? I will be alone this Christmas, as will a lot of people I suspect, so I hope so.

[Eagledave]

Apologies Scorpius (and others) I will be more careful about giving hints here

[emcee]

The last three Listeners haven't done much for me really but I know they can't be brilliant every week.

Elgin's puzzle came alive with the endgame and the PDM was satisfying.

There normally is a Times printed on Boxing Day so I'm expecting there to be a Listener puzzle next week.

[sunny-dave]

Rather easier than the complex pre-ramble suggested - but still a decent challenge after a couple of simple weeks.

I liked the (huge) quantity of relevant and irrelevant thematic material and the final grid-bothering was cleverly done and nicely red-herringed.

Thanks Elgin - very enjoyable indeed.

Merry Christmas to all fellow-travellers on the Listener bus - let's hope 2021 really is a Happy New Year.

[pushmi-pullyu]

Very enjoyable. Merry Christmas everyone!

[olichant]

Superb puzzle, and a theme that had me beaming. Thanks Elgin.