Times Listener No 4468 - Hide-And-Seek By Charybdis

[kdgs2]

Quite surprised to be the first one here. A daunting preamble for sure, but I decided just to start solving and see where it got me. A lovely series of penny drops later, a satisfying solve. Thanks Charybdis

[Encota]

I had the same surprise and tried starting a question on this subject, though probably in the wrong place: a PICNIC moment (Problem In Chair Not In Computer), I fear :-)
Charybdis included a theme that's a personal favourite, so I really enjoyed the appropriate PDM. Many thanks Charybdis if you are 'listening in'!

[Alekhine]

Yes, quite fun.

I loved 6 Down.

[Scorpius]

Great fun. Much easier than I expected, especially given the convoluted preamble , though a couple of wordplays elude me so far.

I also loved 6d, and many others.

[s_pugh]

Ludicrously long preamble but I suppose necessarily so given all the subject matter. Neat construction and a fun solve. Thanks Charybdis.

[upsetter]

An amusing title by Robert - this kept us guessing right until the end.

[12barblues]

Not sure if the thematic material really hangs together. Enjoyed the clueing hoever and the relatively rare missing, as opposed to misprinted, letters. As for the endgame, well just as I was getting into GWIT mode the last couple of elements fell into place.

[pushmi-pullyu]

Wow! The preamble was so scary I almost didn't embark on this one, but I've really enjoyed every step. Finding the location made me laugh out loud.

[starwalker]

As always with a long preamble, I ignored it and started to see what the clues could yield. One by one, things fell inot place. Some lovely and amusing clues. Thanks Charybdis for the puzzle and the smiles.

[olichant]

Enjoyable all the way through with some good clues, and a nice quirky implementation of the theme. The final step made me smile. One or two wordplays still to resolve. A very nice puzzle, I thought.

[Hagen]

I enjoyed this, and given the daunting preamble it was a relief to have some relatively straightforward clues. I thought that there was a GWITtish element to one of the final stages until the penny dropped. I'm still not quite sure of the significance of one of the final revelations (perhaps there isn't any).

Good stuff, Charybdis.

[icynorth]

That was a weird experience. I was hoping right to the very end that there would be a 'Burke Special' style revelation, but I guess it wasn't to be.

Some sublime clues, I agree. 6, 11 and 16 especially. Thanks, Charybdis!

[emcee]

Nice to have a Charybdis puzzle ... seems a while since the last.
As ever with his puzzles, the grid becomes very 'busy' but I enjoyed it all.
Thanks, Charybdis.

[olichant]

I said "good clues" above. I meant to say, some really lovely clues.

[Cruncher]

Enjoyed unravelling this although remain puzzled by the first two hiders and wonder if they have any significance beyond assisting the final stages. Dare say all will be revealed...

[HappyUncle]

Like everyone else, I found this to be immensely satifying and frequently amusing, both in the clues and in the thematic revelations. When I worked out who the 'third' hider was (a very neat touch), I thought their final location might be the one chosen. It did cross my mind that another was possible, but when that turned out to be the one, the bathos was hilarious. Nice to see a mention of Robert too.

On a more sombre note, I was greatly saddened to learn of the death earlier in the week of Calmac. The cruciverbal world has lost one of its true gentlemen.

[BobMinor]

I thought this was lovely. One clue stumped me as regards its definition: I've still no idea what the definition is referring to, but fortunately the wordplay element was plain enough to leave no doubt as to the intended answer. And minimal grid-staring required at the end. Thanks, Charybdis.

[Philoctetes]

Very elegant and nicely constructed. But please can someone explain how anyone without the internet could possibly find the third title (without prior knowledge).

[Scree]

Easy enough for me to solve on the train back from a visit to my mum (it helped that I had heard of the amended version of the proverb).

Enjoyable, and I always appreciate puzzles where amendments leave real words.

[Scree]

Philoctetes

Once you have the surnames you could find 'a title of Robert's' without too much trouble.

[Scree]

Sorry, missed 'without the internet'!

But anyone who really wanted to could use the internet at their local library (unless all your local libraries have closed due to austerity).