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I still haven't used V or Z. Are all letters in the original solutions?

I solved all the clues and expressed each of the two-letter ciphers in terms of one-letter ciphers. I was then able to fill the grid with the single letter ciphers and it was relatively easy then to deduce the code. The only thing I dont understand is the title, which I have enciphered. The first five letters make sense but not the final three.

An ingenious puzzle which looked impossible to begin with. Fortunately most of the clues were easy, which helped enormously.

Foinaven, I think you've made it harder for yourself where the title is concerned. If you encipher PART of the title....

Hi Lumen,

The V is in 13a - 6 letter "tranquilliser" minus a 3 letter "boxer" - definition is first 5 words.

The Z is in 31d - 3 letter slang word for "business" with the I changing to E - definition is "second point" (on a deer's horn)

I'm with Malone, Foinaven - de/cipher the first part of the title and then the second part

Yes: decipher/encipher- you are right. I am not sure this would have helped me, but it is confirmation even if unnecessary

In a sense, the title doesn’t need to be enciphered. It already is.

MPRS - that’s how I interpreted the title, I just saw it as a clue and potential way in to the encipherment but I may be missing something.

Must say I didn't particularly enjoy this one, though I didn't help myself with a silly error with 3d.

That said, I am truly in awe at Lysander putting this together - bravo!

If anyone is interested, eBay currently have a copy of the Book of Listener Crosswords (green/blue cover) dating from 20+ years ago. It is a bargain at £9.12. There are two other copies on sale for over £100! I have the book and can thoroughly recommend it. It is fascinating to see how much harder the puzzles were in those days.