EV 1023 Phoenix byRasputin

[Twit-Who]

This puzzle was just the right degree of difficulty for me - some have been far too easy of late. Last few clues took a while before all fell into place. However there were four wrong word lengths - sloppy editing again. Although in this case it didn't really matter it does occasionally make a big difference.

[Ruthrobin]

Actually five wrong clue lengths: 46ac should read (4), 9d (3), 16d (4), 32d (4) and 42d (3). There is also a typo in 31ac, which should read 'Disagreeable after effects of cocaine rush in Glasgow (5). One member of the Rasputin team here, hoping these editorial flaws didn't spoil your enjoyment.

[qwerty99]

The editing in the EV is rapidly becoming a joke. And 31 ac is downright illiterate (after affects / after-effects). Sack the editor!

[Twit-Who]

I believe 38d should show as being hyphenated too.

[slaney]

Good afternoon everyone.
Just finished this EV which I found challenging and great fun in spite of being held up a bit by the typos (and the fact that we Irish just don't have the genes for this particular theme).
So tempted by the instructions in the shaded area!
Thanks Ruthrobin and the rest of the Rasputin team.

[qwerty99]

I was about to cry "plagiarism", but I'm sure this is just a clever homage to a puzzle which appeared in the Saturday Independent magazine a few years back. In that case the initial instructions were not countermanded, which made for a somewhat messy submission

[Ruthrobin]

Since I've come into the thread, I might as well continue. No, it wasn't 'plagiarism'. We compiled this, our very first as a team, a long time ago, before Dave Harrison's data bank existed, and truly didn't know the theme had appeared in a similar form with comical results in the past. Even more comical/ironic, the well-known setter of the puzzle you mention kindly test-solved ours without alerting us to our treading on his toes.

[qwerty99]

Ruthrobin - I did not accuse you of plagiarism; I said I was about to! I can't remember the author of that puzzle, I just remember solving it and finding it memorable if only for the unusual method of submission. That he/she test-solved it for you and failed to mention his/her previous puzzle seems...remarkable, to say the least. But I enjoyed your puzzle, slightly harder than the norm for the EV, and I am sure the amateurish editing is as frustrating for the compiler as it is for the solver

[qwerty99]

Obviously he, not he/she; I just re-read your posting, Ruthrobin. Ps I am unfamiliar with both Dave Harrison and his databank.

[dr b]

Very enjoyable puzzle, so much so that I did not even notice the typos. Despite the fact that my only knowledge of the theme comes from working these sorts of puzzles, I was not held up for too long with the 8 clues.

Much better than this week's Listener.

[Ruthrobin]

No problem qwerty99 - I realized we were not being castigated. Sorry, I am going scatty with today's typos - I did mean Dave Hennings' Crossword Data Base. He has laboriously listed all crosswords for the past few years in the Listener, Magpie, EV, IQ and Crossword Magazine series so that we avoid repeating a theme, and can easily find setters and themes. here's the address.
http://ccgi.laserbase...swords/xwdb_home.html
Dave Harrison, of course, runs the Crossword Centre, which is a wonderful source of crossword information (and provides a monthly free cryptic with good prizes - you stand about a one in fifty chance of winning if you enter!)

[Ruthrobin]

It gets worse - I meant Derek Harrison - here's the link to his message board:
http://www.boards2go....d.cgi?&user=dharrison

[qwerty99]

Sorry Ruthrobin, I am not into trawling through databanks. Who was the author of the original puzzle?

[haggis58]

Two to get - can anyone help me with 21ac and 16d.

[Crackabilly]

Late to this, so don't know if anyone still out there.
Finished BLH corner, stuck elsewhere.
38d Japanese family crest encapsulating identity (5) ????N
24d Possible to express painted porch picture (8) ??????LE
6a Shame! Archetypal dog trick backfired (6, 2 words) SIT BOY ?
8d Frenchman held up in operations (7) ???N?R?
25a Mark has eight of these being confident when cycling (4) ??E?
As always any help appreciated

[novalis]

Because of work I didn't start this until today. Am stuck on five clues ( 19, 21, 29, 31 across and 16 down ) but will go back to work on them. Hints not answers would be most welcome. Back to another 30 or so minutes exam work before I can even look at this again. As a P.S. I actually received a Telegraph pen on Saturday for a recent Saturday cryptic. It has already been claimed.

[Crackabilly]

Well done novalis!
I myself won the FT Weekend before last - good feeling though totally random!
31a I have CRA S/D H (have not yet worked out instructions for resolution)

[Micky666]

Crapability: You've still got plenty of time to sort it!
Novalis: Congratulations on your win :-)

[vetuste_ennemi]

Anyone old enough to remember "Use a Pencil" by Ploutos (RIP)?

[ringer]

I enjoyed this one. I too felt it was of the right difficulty - needed some thought and research. Well done, Rasputin, for stretching the grey cells. For those of you who haven't quite got to grips an initial sweep may reveal the theme as long as you don't run out of steam or slip up.
Congrats novalis on your win!

[kayakamina]

I was late starting this puzzle but, like others, enjoyed the extra challenge.

Shaney
I seem to recall the Irish having a great one day success a few years back!

Hi vetuste_enne mi
I smiled when I saw your reference to 'Use A Pencil' - long forgotten but apposite here.

Novalis
Well done.