Clockwise round the grid run six of a kind (one of three words and one three-word pair). Other unclued lights show where you might find others of their kind. Unchecked corner letters could give PLAY-DEN PLANK. Across 11 With everyone away, call hourly for singers (6) 13 Old bird biting end off confectionery (3)
Procne (37D), Tereus (23D), Scylla (19D) and Arachne (30D) were all given as anagrams, as was Ovid (42D). Daphne (1D) changed to laurel, and Niobe (7A) to stone, as in the Metamorphoses (45A). First prize Stephen Saunders, Midford, Bath Runners-up R. Wightman, Ilkley, W. Yorks; Rafe Magrath, London SW13
In ten clues the wordplay leads to the answer plus one extra letter. These letters in clue order give a name (two words) to which are questionably attributed the unclued lights (in Brewer), which make three phrases: one of six words, one of three, one of four (thematically five?). Across 4 See me in
The shared name was PERRY (18), shared by GRAYSON (28) Perry and Perry MASON (2). GP, whose alter ego is CLAIRE (3), is a TURNER (32) Prize winner. PM is a lawyer created by Erle Stanley GARDNER (27); Della STREET (10) is PM’s secretary and Paul DRAKE (37) is his private investigator. PERRY was to
The unclued lights (one of two words), correctly paired, are of a kind and are defective in the same way. Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 1 Indecision of poet shortly to tour America (8) 5 A band restrains it likewise (6, two words) 14 Judge half a fool (3) 16 Shrewd to capture rook
The theme word was China, the Mandarin Chinese word for which is Zhongguo (the pinyin transliteration of 中国). Unclued lights were Chinese cities (34A, 3D, 30D), types of china (16A, 30A, 9D) and words meaning ‘friend’ (2D, 37D, 38D). First prize Janet Fletcher, Johnstone, Renfrewshire Runners-up Virginia Porter, Gwaelod-y-Garth, Cardiff; Ernie Morrison, Coleraine, Co.
The unclued lights (ignore two apostrophes and an umlaut) are of a kind, as verified in Brewer. Across 1 Seating right up to date (5, two words) 6 Run off book in a moment, not English (7) 11 Learner chews roach sadly (10, hyphened) 15 Shortly irritate returning US politician (4) 16 Bill interprets old fears
Extra letters in clues form the phrase BITE THE DUST. Thematically created entries at 10, 11, 19, 29 and 34 (in which the types of dust are pother, pollen, stour, bort and ash) are defined by 15, 30, 18, 39 and 9. First prize Andrew Bell, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Runners-up Brenda Widger, Bowdon, Cheshire; John
Unclued lights consist of a quotation (in ODQ), its speaker and source, and a synonym (one hyphened) of each of its three words. Its author appears in the grid and must be shaded. Across 1 Excel as old Greek character among women (11) 11 Cable runs past part of bow (6) 13 Look in
Corrections of misprints in clues give STEP ON THE GAS, indicating the unclued lights in each of four columns in the grid. First prize Virginia Porter, Gwaelod-y-Garth, Cardiff Runners-up Richard Poole, Harlech, Gwynedd; John M. Brown, Rolleston-on-Dove, Staffordshire
Around the perimeter starting at one corner run two lines of a verse (ten words). Two unclued lights give the name of the author (in her formal style); other unclued lights give one association with each of the adjectives in the quotation. Across 10 Smile conceals a natural character (5) 11 Eastern exercise in
Four unclued lights (eight words in all) form a phrase describing an activity. The other unclued lights give the author, and names of three participants Across 9 Grow variable and impressionable (4) 10 Country in bad state, one further reduced (9, two words) 17 Watch acceleration in speed, say, when reversing (5) 18
The works were Striding Folly (anagram of 11/22), Whose Body? (36/1D), The Nine Tailors (2/48), Strong Poison (9/30) and Gaudy Night (17/46). DOROTHY L. SAYERS (diagonally from the SW corner) was to be shaded. Title: anagram of LORD PETER WIMSEY who features in all five works. First prize Mark Rowntree, London SE10 Runners-up Mrs S.
Along the top and bottom rows of the grid runs a seasonal quotation of 11 words. 81 clues contain a superfluous word; the initial letters of these words in clue order spell out another seasonal quotation of 21 words; ignore the apostrophe. Other unclued lights (five of two words, one of three), singly or linked,
GRASSHOPPERS (9) of ZURICH (30) is a team that plays football — not cricket, as indicated by corrections of misprints in clues. Other unclued lights are related STRIDULATING INSECTS (13 28). First prize R.C. Teuton, Frampton Cotterell, South Glos Runners-up N.J. Smithies, Guernsey; Charles McCulloch, Temple, London
Unclued lights (three of two words; ignore one apostrophe) may be grouped to form a related triad. Across 1 Old wife to claim freebie from party (8, two words) 5 Arrest of secret police (6) 11 King’s job reduced: that hurt part of the fleet (10) 16 From lack of energy Roman general
Films starring AUDREY HEPBURN (4 29) include MY FAIR LADY, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S, SABRINA FAIR and ROMAN HOLIDAY in the perimeter, and (defined by the puzzle’s title) CHARADE. First prize Ray Nolan, Droylsden, Manchester Runners-up Sandra Speak, Dursley, Glos; Stephen Saunders, Midford, Bath
Unclued lights (one of three words) are of a kind, as suggested by the title. Across 7 Mostly stern examination (3) 11 African’s body to rest briefly (6) 13 One fitted into more extensive counter (7) 15 Entice to enter round dance (5) 16 Having only a small Kazakh coin, couldn’t visit restaurant?
‘ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME’ (1D/19) is a work by AUGUSTUS TOPLADY (18/13). ELIZABETH WINDSOR (4A/26) and MICHELLE OBAMA (12/34A) were each suggested by TOPLADY. Title: associated hymn tune. First prize Peter and Jeannie Chamberlain, Rushden, Northants Runners-up M. Purdie, Cupar, Fife; Mrs Rhiannon Hales, Ilfracombe, Devon
Eight unclued lights are of a kind; as is, fancifully, the ninth. Across 6 Hurry up to fill space with one big cup (6) 12 Ape, given exercise to open fish, discarded skin (10, two words) 13 I agree Spain is rarely pleasant (5) 15 Unable to move furniture? Sure (10) 16 Witter about horse