Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I have been most vexed by this one: I have a less-than-nodding acquaintance with the work (Let's be honest - I know the title and the author, and could have a good guess at the location). I have a full grid, and have hammered a character into the space. However the last part has me utterly baffled: is 'the last row' the last clued row, or the row containing the title? How am I meant to spot the 2 3-letter words when only 1 letter is 'unaltered'*? And what will it all mean in the end?
Finally, have I missed something, or is the clue for 7d... shoddy?
*I am taking note that it says 'alter' rather than 'changed' or 'replaced'. I hear a small bell.

Hi biggus, 7d is a subtraction anagram. You are altering the title to reflect the ending; if you look at the plot summary with regard to the use of a 3-letter tool.

The bottom third was hard work for me, especially the three letter ones.
My LAST entry was the 5 letter alternative character spelling.
It all seems to fit, unless someone knows better ?
R.I.P. Andy.

I managed to find only one reference showing that alternative spelling ('shmoop') but that's what I had to go with. Certainly stretches the 'alternative spelling' idea, if you ask me.

I relied on the same source, drxx. Too much licence for the alternative spellings, in my book, though I understand why they didn’t want to meddle too much

But a good challenge and a very enjoyable one (RIP Dysart, and thanks for the many enjoyable hours I've spent on your puzzles over the years).

Glad to have fitted my character name in at last.
But still missing 43a and it's two small crossers if someone can help a little.
Also I don't see the eight letters to erase. I know what I'm looking for, but can't see it. Gentle tip for that too? Now it's Tuesday!

For the character to remove - it should be easy to spot but some sources spell it differently, have you considered another version?

43a first three words for the def - next word is the obvious container (2 letters).
39d The 'fight' is a Greek struggle (4 letters).
40d 'power' is a 4 letter word we see quite often nowadays - but in a figurative way (then minus the obvious letter).

...sorry, for 43a it's first 4 words for the def when we include ''eg''.

I think I should clarify that, lumen - if your search is on the basis that you're looking for an 8 letter word, perhaps you've discounted the obvious name (which appears to be longer in some sources).