Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

It's verses two and five, Izzet. Look in the grid for suitably placed letters of the remaining extra words from the clues, bearing in mind that in some cases those words are treated thematically.

Hi Izzet,

Try applying the last line of verse 5 to four of the extra words. Not all thematic material is in rows. I'm still struggling with the thematic material linked to verse 3, but think it covers 16 and not 9 cells.

Izzet,

Apologies - your 9 is correct

Finally completed. Loved this challenge. Of for a Caffè

Thanks loge, so I had the right answer, should have checked the Def of engross, never crossed my mind it could mean that.

I was thinking deck was the 3 letter b word and below was somehow being used as opposite of over to mean inside. Your explanation makes much more sense.

That was an excellent puzzle. From complete initial incomprehension to a fully worked through and very satisfying embodiment of the theme, (And I survived!) Thank you Banjaluka.

longhare, the verse 3 material is 9 cells, you're right

Have a full grid now, all the messages, the 10 words, the clashes and haven't the faintest idea what to do next or what the thematic material is. Spent a good hour grid staring and randomly googling stuff without getting anywhere.

Is the author likely to be someone I've heard of? And they have a space in their surname?

Realised I had a letter wrong, now have the author and the work. Hopefully can now progress...

Finally got there. 3 loose ends for me

Why is the food at the end of 18 (other than to make the message work), I have a US chemical used in fertiliser which seems quite a long way from food. Is that it or is it used in food as well (or do I have the wrong answer)?

5d - is bond meaning bed? Not really seeing that?

1d - have a French word related to garcon but can't see the wordplay at all.

Thanks