Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

The clues...

Requests for help should normally include the clue itself, the number of letters in the answer, and details of any you already have. Any additional information or special instructions should also be included.
Hints only, please, no answers.

The theme...
Requests may be made here for help towards the theme. The term 'Gentle nudges' is hard to define, of course, but Forum members seem able to cope. The 'help' should be in the way of a nudge, a pointer in the right direction - something that could assist a would-be solver without spoiling the puzzle for others. Any query or reply that - even inadvertently - reveals too much of the theme is likely to be removed.

The Listener is a unique puzzle and should be treated with respect.

Very nice - an ace from Deuce!

Not for me, this has been done to death. The 'specified by letters' bit is novel, I suppose - but not nearly as novel, interesting and elaborate as the source material that's just thrown away. Couldn't we have a bit more of it one day, please?

Well, as a first post to this forum, I thought this was a clever puzzle. As usual, I am a bit unsure of one or two parsings, but it all came together at the end.

Neat puzzle so far, but can't work out the highlighting with any certainty yet (barring a crazy thinking-outside-the-box possibility that's almost certainly not what's intended). Maybe all will become clear after some sleep. Thanks Deuce.

Is 16a in Chambers - or any any dictionary for that matter? I've got 4 of the 6 letters and nothing seems to fit:-(

Ahh, I think I see where I went wrong

nxe - I too have 'crazy highlighting' where it might not be expected!

Re 16a: Yes, it's a fairly common word

In highlighting terms, does "standard crossword directions" include diagonal as well as across and down - or indeed a combination of all three within one word?