A Puzzle by Meles
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The puzzle is available by clicking on the above grid.
[time-restrict on="2025-11-23" else=
Meles has provided us with a delightful alternative to the SPP so many thanks to him.
Across
1a Cryptic clue, if right, could summon the devil? (7)
LUCIFER: CLUE IF R(ight)* (cryptic)
5a Move to protect king from launch by the French (6)
CASTLE: One for the chess fans. Launch/throw plus a French definite article. Lovely definition.
10a Follow in case one goes back (5)
TRAIL: Case/hearing with the letter representing one moving back one place
11a Cheating by having a stopwatch in both hands? (3-6)
TWO-TIMING: Amusing cryptic definition
12a Essential alert with enemy on manoeuvres (10)
ELEMENTARY: ALERT ENEMY* (On manoeuvres)
13a Second-rate offering from the setter ignored at first - rude! (4)
BLUE: The letter representing second-rate plus what the setter is offering here minus the first letter
15a Broadcast around field oddly lacking, being very quiet (6)
SILENT: Broadcast/delivered around even letters of fIeLd.
16a News it's awful to see (7)
WITNESS: NEWS IT'S* (awful). Obviously acceptable but always seems strange to have a “spare to”.
18a Spark joint for Spooner at the end of each day (7)
NIGHTLY: Spark/ignite plus a joint in the body given the reverend's treatment. Excellent
20a Provides initiation but ponders switching sides (6)
BLOODS: Ponders/thinks about changing the abbreviation for Right to that of Left
22a Mastercard when broken up can be a primitive weapon (4)
MACE: The solution, a primitive club is the abbreviation for Master and a playing card
24a Impressive set of keys! (5,5)
GRAND PIANO: Cryptic definition, another amusing one
26a Ultimately brave adventurer types going after old place with gold? (9)
EXPLORERS: The final letters of bravE adventureR typeS follow the usual old/former, the abbreviation for PLace and the heraldic gold for an all-in-one
27a Introduction of extra charge for digital entertainment (1-4)
E-BOOK: Initial letter of Extra plus charge/order
28a Success on the lane, it's time to down tools (6)
STRIKE: Double definition, the first referring to a form of bowling
29a Pardon father breaking seat, only one time though (3,4)
SET FREE: The abbreviation for FatheR inserted (breaking) a seat/sofa with only one T(ime). Very nice
Down
1d Reformer of Honolulu therapists? (6)
LUTHER: Hidden
2d Providing food without recipe and rapidly failing! (9)
CRATERING: Without here is a containment indicator. A synonym of providing food around the abbreviation for Recipe
3d Outrageous stealth fee for dental equipment (5,5)
FALSE TEETH: *STEALTH FEE (outrageous)
4d Drumming sound cheers sailor on return (3-1-3)
RAT-A-TAT: Cheers/goodbye plus one of crosswordland’s favourite sailors reversed. Very nice
6d Renowned artwork not initially dedicated (4)
AVID: Michelangelo's iconic marble statue, without the initial letter of Dedicated
7d Ireland supports weightlifting - take a turn! (5)
TWIRL: The country code for Ireland follows/supports an abbreviation for weight “lifting”.
8d Bad age to allow son to get small birds... (7)
EAGLETS: AGE* (bad) plus allow/permit plus S(on)
9d ... temporarily have some sparrow or robin to raise? (6)
BORROW: Hidden and reversed (some, to raise). Very smart
14d Most grumpy notices outside left up pointedly in the centre (10)
STROPPIEST: Notices/sees outside a nautical left (reversed) plus poinTedly
17d An overdue dancing attempt (9)
ENDEAVOUR: AN OVERDUE* (dancing)
18d Pieces of music such as 4'33"? (7)
NUMBERS: Double definition
19d Tricky delivery has employee's wife out for a year (6)
YORKER: Employee/hand with the abbreviation for Wife changed to that for Year
20d Working aboard public transport gives additional benefits (7)
BONUSES: Working/in operation inserted in a form of public transport
21d Man that is a new recruit (6)
ROOKIE: Another chess related clue. The man is a piece on a board, plus the usual “that is” Don't think we need “a” here
23d Lark about with revolutionary theatre company (5)
CAPER: One of the abbreviations for about or CircA plus a theatre company rev.
25d A religious man from the start of the week to the week's end (4)
MONK: An abbreviated first working day of the week plus weeK. Very smart
Thanks to Meles for an enjoyable puzzle with some very neat clues.
I particularly liked 5a, 13a, 22a, 7d and 19d.
Another enjoyable start to my Saturday – no caffeine required! Smiles for 11a, 24a, 28a, 2d, and 21d.
Thanks Meles and thanks in advance to Stephen L.
I was delighted to see that Meles was the setter of today’s NTSPP. His puzzles are always most enjoyable and this was no exception.
My only very minor qualm is that I don’t think 15a and “very quiet” are synonymous. One means no sound and the other very little sound.
I had a plethora of ticked clues. I was, of course, gratified to see the correct chess usage of 5a and this was one of my podium selections along with 28a & 23d.
Many thanks to Meles.
Ticks appeared on my printout right from the outset, with some adroit wordplay contained in smooth, entertaining surfaces. From my (not so short) short list, Across and Down podium places went to 1, 20 & 26 and 2, 6 & 23 respectively. Last to fall were the two 18s, neither of which quite worked for me, but were readily forgiven in the context of such a fine puzzle. Row 7 caught my eye and I wonder if a bit more detective work might reveal a bit of a theme…
My thanks to Meles and, in advance, to our reviewer.
The first 8 answers in the NW went in 4d & thought the puzzle would be a very quick grid fill. Not so as a fair bit of crumpet scratching ensued. Like Spartacus I wasn’t keen on the Spoonerism but thought 18d fine once the penny dropped. I particularly liked both of the chess ones, the lane success & the tricky delivery.
Many thanks Meles & look forward to your next one.
Another most enjoyable puzzle from our setter with enough tricky bits to test most solvers. Think I’ll hand out the rosettes to 5,11&28a plus 19&23d.
Many thanks Meles, much appreciated.
That was a lot of clever fun.
Looking at the finished grid we wonder if there is a theme typified by 15a/16a, but as nobody else has mentioned one, perhaps we are imagining it.
Thanks Meles.
(Whoops. Have just spotted Spartacus’s comment.)
Very enjoyable on a dreary, wet Saturday evening in East Sussex. Thank you Meles and thanks in advance to StephenL/CS. We look forward to your next puzzle.
I too enjoyed this puzzle from Meles, as it pours rain here in the Lower Mainland of BC
Smiles for 5a, 11a, 24a, 3d & 9d
Thanks to Meles for this
Thanks for the review Stephen – you thought the Spoonerism excellent I wasn’t keen so shows I’m no judge.
You must be due another puzzle in one of the slots soon surely?
Hi Andy
Perhaps it’s me that’s no judge! I guess Spoonerisms are a bit like marmite but it amused me.
I’m not too far down slots, thanks.
The next Spoonerism I write that meets universal approval will be the first, so very happy with a split decision 🙂
Thanks to everyone who solved and commented and especially Stephen for the great review.
As suspected, there is a theme here of crime/police procedurals, a genre I enjoy a lot. 15a 16a a bit of a giveaway, we also have 1a, 5a, 12a, 13a 20a, 28a, 1d, 17d, 18d, (The) 21d and 25d. There are loads so it was fun to build a grid around 🙂.
Thanks all again.
What a delightful NTSPP!
I particularly enjoyed the chess-related clues, 5a and 21d. I can’t possibly list all my likes. Among them are 11a, 13a, 24a, 27a and 25d.
Many thanks Meles for a most entertaining NTSPP.
Many thanks to Stephen for an excellent review. I did like the additional comments beside many of the clues.
Many thanks for the review, Stephen, this really was a most enjoyable NTSPP from Meles – thanks again to him.
Very enjoyable. Thank you Meles.
Needless to say, I didn’t spot the theme in the puzzle!
I found the SW corner a bit sticky and still not sure I understand 18d.
My ticks are for 12a, 13a, 16a, 24a and 19d.
Thank you for the blog Stephen. I needed your help in the SW corner.