Spectator 2607

[hypotheses]

Spectator 2607

I don’t want to give too much away and spoil things for some, so I’ll simply ask: is 27A ALI?

[jazzgirl]

That is what I have and is one of the theme

[Krypto]

No, I think it is Abi - one of the "three coming first".

[Tilly2]

I hope so! :-)

[Neveracrossword]

There was an Ali. coming first - the swapped sons storyline...

[Matakari]

I've got Abi, too. This was a delightfully gentle solve, done again in record time. I seem to be getting the hang of the Spectator's offerings and Doc's in particular.

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, glad you got it done quickly, you're on a roll now. EV will be next... I've added a comment to one of your 1590 threads.

PS I'm afraid I didn't find Doc's puzzle at all delightful, sorry!

[Tilly2]

I've given up on it as I can't be bothered to look for details about something I don't look at.

[jazzgirl]

I guess it could be Abi as she is more recent. There seems to be nothing to confirm unless I have missed something

[Neveracrossword]

Ambiguities are not unknown in Doc's crosswords

Tilly2, that was maybe a wise move - I saw the puzzle through (with gritted teeth).

[Tilly2]

Well done Nac. You're a better woman than I,
Gunga Din!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Tilly2 - the puzzle was there, sitting looking at me, I felt obliged to finish it (just like I did the last time Doc used the theme...)

[Matakari]

NACW, I say “delightfully gentle” because I was simply happy to have seen the answers so readily! My first Unclued suggested the theme, and it was plain sailing from there. I have to be thankful for small mercies until I can claim to attain your level of proficiency in cracking these puzzles. And if I remember correctly, 1590 carried an answer, “The Sun”, to one of its clues and that led me to think of “ Heart of the Sun: An Anthology of Sekhmet”. I am just hoping that this week’s EV will be a bit more straightforward. Thanks again!

[Tilly2]

Yet I always find Maskerade enjoyable.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari. I'm sure you've seen good, bad and indifferent puzzles over the last 15 years. I don't think it's just skill level that affects appreciation of a puzzle, there are many other things that come in to play...
Tilly2, yes, Maskerade puzzles can be fun - though they are often daunting to start with! I'll need to investigate how long Doc's been setting that, he doesn't seem so jaded there.

[Tilly2]

Since The Reverend died, I think.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Tilly2 .

PS We have managed to get the spelling wrong - let's blame predictive text!

[Tilly2]

My fault, sorry.

[Tilly2]

Maskarade

[hypotheses]

Thanks all. I bow to your more recent knowledge. I’ll go with Abi.

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, thanks for the update re the 'middle of a planet' EV. I'm disappointed that you are not psychic, the theme of the next EV was Middle Earth, so you can see why I was impressed!
Hypotheses, excuse the interruption - but I think the Ali/Abi discussion was just about over.