Inquisitor 1188

[Indy-trier]

I've got lots of the "straightforward" answers and some of the misprints but am struggling with some of the odd entry lengths as this wasn't mentioned in the preamble. Any tips would be appreciated.

[Q-lyn]

A couple of numeric digits appear in 1 down (date); 5 across is a name, the down answers (6,7 etc) begin in the row under this.

[haggis58]

Have completed the grid and identified all concerned, but the answer 'Johnson' to 32ac eludes me. Is there are Johnson pie? Also the answer 'Omasa' to 33d means a cows stomach not bibles?

[RossR]

I think you want a pen rather than a pie.

[stymied]

Look up bible in Chambers!

[haggis58]

OK Stymied can now accept bible, but Ross R 'pen'?

[RossR]

The answer is a poet, i.e. a "pen". At least I think so, without having it all checked yet.

[haggis58]

Ross R - yes I would agree with you that it is pen. Also 42ac is still obscure to me. Cant seem to justify it - any thoughts?

[turnerjmw]

"Up to the minute cycling report" = CENTRE. S is the misprint, so "report" is "resort" = centre, the definition, and "recent" = up to the minute. Cycling means with some of the letters going from beginning to end. Seen occasionally in advanced crosswords. So 12345 could become 23451, 34512, 45123 or 51234.

[RossR]

I'm still not entirely convinced that I've cracked this. Could somebody tell me - are the lights that end up in 6D to 10D supposed to be real words?

[turnerjmw]

Ross R, I'm not sure what you mean. "5ac" was "1dn", as was the concealed person in the grid, and both found fame with the concealed thing. Each of the answers to 6dn - 10dn is a word beginning one below the top line (hence the word lengths), but also make complete words (or abbreviation in the case of 8dn) when started in the top line, though those words are unclued.

[RossR]

"...also make complete words (or abbreviation in the case of 8dn) when started in the top line..."
That's what I meant, turnerjmw, thanks. I didn't think of one of them being an abbreviation!

[Indy-trier]

Thank you so much Q-lyn. Your hint about 1D made all the difference. It all clicked into place after that!