Spectator 1975

[kayakamina]

Good Morning.
Here is a link to 'Racketeers' set by Doc.
http://thespectator.n...om/epaper/viewer.aspx

It can be found on page 51.

Ideally this puzzle should have been published a month ago.

[zita-green]

Thanks for the link, K

[whatsthat]

and here's a pdf
http://www.spectator....6172733/crossword.pdf

[AHearer]

Thanks for the link. I assume Doc's no cook, or he wouldn't confuse a herb and a spice.

[Quizmonster]

Surely things other than spices may be legitimately described as 'spicy'.

[AHearer]

Well, yes, especially metaphorically. Perhaps we were meant to infer that she was wearing only spectacles.

[djawhufc]

Hi

Last one- is 40a monotremata?

Thanks in advance

DJA

[kayakamina]

Yes.

[toalisi]

Can you explain the logic please?

[kayakamina]

Tamerton - suburb (Plymouth) < Mo (short time) A (capital of Afghanistan)

MO NOTREMAT A

[teacher1]

Does 31a end in a d ? Thanks. ;o)

[kayakamina]

Hi Teach

I've put S.

[teacher1]

Thanks K. I put s first, but something came into my mind and I wanted to put d for some silly reason. Easier this week though. Actually finished after an hour ...... instead of a week ! lol ;o)

[kayakamina]

Teach, it was easier this week as the puzzles set by Doc generally are.

A couple of pals reported initially putting a male instead of a female at 3d and lost valuable time in their private race.

Regards K

[zita-green]

I am wondering what male could that have been. Don't tell me; that would start a bunfight. When I saw the disposition of letters I saw her immediately. Mind you, it is a subject of which I know very little.

[teacher1]

I did exactly that K ...... his initials were BB ! Soon realised though ! lol ;o)

[barrybutler]

I wonder whether the clue leading to monotermata is a little more straightforward. The word "in" has to be dealt with and K's suggestion above seems to omit it. Also, it may be that Tamerton is actually a suburb of Plymouth but cannot imagine that Doc would have assumed it would be the one that would be well known enough to include. I think that the wordplay is MO + MERTON (reversed) + AT (meaning "in") and A for Afghanistan. This solution actually takes "in" into account.

[crucifernz]

Need confirmation on 21/26 DOWN I have ELD/ING

Clue: Fuel once obtained from poor deli that's no good (6)(3 + 3)

Can't find definition of ELDING but it is in online Chambers.

[Jogler]

anag deli+n(o)g(ood). Chambers online gives definition as fuel. Also to be found under eldin - which is where I presume it is in the brb?

[crucifernz]

Thanks Jogler.

[barrybutler]

Elding is in the Shorter Oxford.