A Puzzle by Faz
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The puzzle is available by clicking on the above grid.
As usual, the setter will be delighted to receive feedback from you, the solvers. We do ask that you remember that for most setters this is a new experience, so please only offer constructive criticism.
Thank you to Faz for this week’s Rookie crossword. Looking back at previous crosswords by this setter, there has been a lot of improvement. Surface readings are improving, and repetition of wordplay indicators has (largely) been eliminated. However, the main thing that Faz needs to improve is the cryptic grammar of the clues. Both the surface reading of the clue and the cryptic instructions that it contains should make grammatical sense. A grammatical surface reading does not necessarily mean that the cryptic instructions are grammatically correct. The commentometer reads as 7 / 28 or 25%,
Across
1a To publish blemish, a feature of the Mail (8)
POSTMARK: A four-letter word meaning to publish online followed by a four-letter word for a blemish.
5a BBC boss ensnared by proper tramp (6)
TRUDGE: The abbreviation for director general (BBC boss) inside (ensnared by) a four-letter word meaning proper.
9a One way to pass a friend (8)
SIDEKICK: Double definition.
10a Herbal sample includes aromatic sticky stuff (6)
BALSAM: The answer is hidden (includes) in the first two words of the clue.
11a Remaining praise is returned, and sounds hesitant (8)
RESIDUAL: Reverse (returned) a four-letter word meaning praise, the IS from the clue and a two-letter word meaning sounds hesitant. The cryptic grammar of the clue does not work with the reversal indicator in the middle of the words to be reversed.
12a Cruise sites, perhaps, where crossings are packed with energy (6)
FJORDS: A five-letter word for shallow river crossings includes the abbreviation for joules (energy). There are two issues here. The first is that the two steps required to get from energy to joules and then use the abbreviation is unfair for the solver, particularly as joule is not energy itself but a measurement of it. Secondly, the cryptic grammar does not work. Whilst are works in the surface reading, in the cryptic reading it resolves to A are packed with B, when it should be A is packed with B.
14a Old style bibles without covers contain multiples, it seems (10)
OSTENSIBLE: The abbreviation for old style and the inner letters (without covers) of bibles include (contain) a four-letter word for multiples of an amount.
18a Something to nourish baby – too much stuck in cot, and feel sick (6-4)
BOTTLE-FEED: The abbreviation for over the top (too much) and an anagram (sick) of feel inside (stuck in) a three-letter word for a cot. The definition implies that a noun is required, but the solution is a verb.
22a A game to transgress and catch on the rebound (6)
TENNIS: A three-letter word meaning to transgress and a three-letter word meaning catch all reversed (on the rebound).
23a Sample design, mine is flawed (8)
SPECIMEN: A four-letter word for a design followed by an anagram (flawed) of MINE.
24a Normal Monday can conceal a nut (6)
ALMOND: The answer is hidden (can conceal) in the first two words of the clue.
25a Slave mob dispersed goods and chattels (8)
MOVABLES: An anagram (dispersed) of SLAVE MOB.
26a Over there you’ll find Sally on Derek (6)
YONDER: The answer is hidden (you’ll find) in the last two words of the clue. I think that the hidden word indicator would need to be you’ll find in, not simply you’ll find.
27a Untidy YMCA – clean, lacking a plant, for instance (8)
CYCLAMEN: An anagram (untidy) of YMCA CLEAN after removing (lacking) an A. I am not sure why for instance is required in the clue. If you were using the solution as the definition for plant, it would be a definition by example, but plant on its own is sufficient to define a particular plant.
Down
1d Father’s effort is flaky, for example (6)
PASTRY: A three-letter contraction meaning father’s followed by a three-letter word for an effort or attempt.
2d Cruelty from DSS; I am beaten (6)
SADISM: An anagram (beaten) of DSS I AM.
3d Emperor cuts Michael short with some fuss (6)
MIKADO: A short form of the name Michael without the final letter (cuts) followed by a three-letter word for a fuss. I think for the cryptic grammar to work you need “cut short Michael”. Also, I don’t think that the some is required. It seems to indicate that only part of the word for fuss is required.
4d Park by girl, if unknown? Make a different arrangement (10)
RECLASSIFY: A three-letter word for a park followed by a four-letter word for a girl, the IF from the clue and a letter representing an algebraic unknown.
6d Regarding publicity, reasonable to tweak again (8)
READJUST: A two-letter word meaning regarding followed by a two-letter word for publicity and a four-letter word meaning reasonable.
7d Give an account of French writer (8)
DESCRIBE: The French for of followed by a six-letter word for a writer.
8d Look up, clutching new net for traps (8)
ENMESHES: A three-letter word meaning look is reversed (up) and includes (clutching) the abbreviation for new and a four-letter word for a net.
13d It’s bossy to give space to criminal before party (10)
PEREMPTORY: A two-letter word for a printer’s space inside (to give…to) a four-letter American word for a criminal followed by a four-letter name of a political party. A couple of points here. First, the American usage should be indicated. Secondly, I don’t think that to give A to B implies that A is contained in B.
15d Column that has the last word (8)
OBITUARY: Cryptic definition of a newspaper column detailing the life of a deceased person.
16d Make chap smaller, he’s likely to be at risk (5,3)
STUNT MAN: Read literally, this definition of a person who takes the part of an actor in a film for dangerous action shots could mean to make a chap smaller.
17d Partnership for everyone to twirl, perhaps – topless, after me (8)
ALLIANCE: A three-letter word meaning everyone followed by a five-letter word meaning twirl or move to music without the first letter (topless) after a single letter meaning me. You have definition for wordplay in the construction of the clue which is the wrong way around.
19d Poor writing from second century king with pointed tool (6)
SCRAWL: The abbreviations for second, century and king followed by a three-letter pointed tool.
20d Put up something viral – keep pound back for logo (6)
EMBLEM: Reverse (put up) a four-letter word for something that is viral on the internet and include (keep) a reversal (back) of the abbreviation for pound. As up was used as reversal indicator in 8d, a different indicator should be used in place of put up. Also, for the cryptic grammar to work, keep should be keeping otherwise the clue reads A keep B.
21d United Nations is about togetherness (6)
UNISON: The abbreviation for United Nations followed by the IS from the clue and a two-letter word meaning about.
Thank you Faz for an entertaining end to my weekend of cruciverbalism. I do have a couple of Hmms but I will await the wisdom of Prolixic and others.
Smiles for 1a, 5a, 9a, 13d, and 15d.
Thanks again and thanks in advance to Prolixic.
A competently put together set of clues that we found most enjoyable to solve. 12a had us scratching our heads for a while until the penny dropped, so that’s our favourite.
Thanks Faz.
Welcome back to Rookie Corner, Faz. I enjoyed the solve, and I thought it was your best submission so far. Now that you have several RC puzzles under your belt, you need to work on your polishing your surface readings, quite a number of which are not convincing. That aside, I have only a handful of comments/questions:
11a – I am not sure that the parsing quite works because “returned” appears in the middle of the wordplay elements it is being applied to.
12a – For me, “energy” = J is one step too far.
18a – The definition leads to a noun but the answer is a verb. However, the whole clue is very clunky and would probably benefit from being completely re-written.
26a – I don’t think “you’ll find” quite works as a lurker indicator.
13d – “Perp” is US slang which should be indicated in a UK crossword.
Many thanks and well done on your progress, Faz. Thanks too in advance to Prolixic.
What the 2Ks said.
Thanks to Faz and, in advance, to Prolixic
An enjoyable puzzle – thanks to Faz.
My favourite clue is 6d.
Welcome back, Faz.
There seemed to be fewer unconvincing surfaces this time, which is good, but I’m not sure what “Normal Monday can conceal a nut” actually means. As is often the case, I tend to agree with the points RD has made, I’ll just add that “for instance” is unnecessary in 27a, as “a plant” in the clue is not a definition by example.
Well done on the continued progress shown. Many thanks, Faz.
Nice to see another puzzle from you, Faz, and one with far less in the way of ‘bloomers’ his time. Still areas that need more care and I agree with the points made by RD, but a definite improvement – top clues for me were 1&5a plus 16d.
Keep up the good work!
Very enjoyable, Faz, many thanks. We look forward to your next one and hope it will arrive soon.
This is not just a very good Rookie puzzle, Faz, but a very enjoyable one as well.
I have many ticks, these forming my top likes: 1a, 5a, 9a,12a, 14a, 3d, 4d, 15d and 16d.
Others have already remarked on strengths and weaknesses in your compilation. For me, the worst peccadillo is the surface reading of 24a, which Sylvanus has already noted.
I’m sure Prolixic will give you an excellent analysis. Following his sage advice should prove most beneficial. Please come back here soon with a puzzle devoid of minor flaws.
Many thanks Faz and very well done!
Many thanks for the review, Prolixic. I do hope that Faz pays particular attention to your comments about cryptic grammar.
Many appreciative thanks for the reveiw, Prolixic. Very interesting comments regarding cryptic grammar. Like Jane, I hope that Faz will pay close attention to them.
My huge thanks indeed to Prolixic, for explaining the issues so clearly – truly a masterclass for me. Much appreciation to other reviewers also, this is such a helpful service. Particular thanks to Rabbit Dave for the detailed analysis. I will certainly study all of this closely before having another go!
I will be honest and say that I haven’t yet attempted your puzzle, Faz. Nor have I myself submitted a RC puzzle, or written a single clue, for a long time, but I remember the comments! However, having bought myself another Windows laptop (refurbished Lenovo Yoga Thinkpad if anyone is interested) I will once again load up Crossword Compiler and start another. I have reverted back to DUMBER too, because of the MENSA newsletter thing.