Listener 3966

[cruciverbali]

As The Listener Crossword has been somewhat easier of late, why not take a look at Mercury's Whereabouts ?

[Gazco]

Mmm, yes, considerably harder this week. Haven't got very far with this since Friday. Far too much cold solving of Across clues required and no idea of the novel or prologue.

[cluelessJoe]

Some wicked clueing, and a real test this time. I finally solved it after an inspired guess at the novel before I had solved more than a handful of clues - from there I could use the prologue to help me identify the surplus letters in the across clues, so I basically solved it backwards.

[Clamzy]

Any chance of a hint of the Author??

[gribble]

I have only done about 12 answers but have novel etc, the authors first name is leslie.

[cluelessJoe]

In the spirit of the Listener, I never think too much should be given away ... however, the way I got to the novel is by thinking hard about (i) the title of the puzzle - which is a definite clue when considered alongside the fact from the preamble that (ii) the novel has three main characters.
As I mentoned above, that alone got me to the novel ... from there you should be able to pick up the prologue - and assuming you have seen a few 'Listeners' you should by then have a good idea of how to amend the down clues. Maybe it's a back to front solution but it did work for me this time around.
Good Luck

[tinammcmahon]

finished this weeks listener reasonably quickly

however i am still stuck at almost the beginning on this one

no obvious leslie author search on google or wikipedia

any other hints to get the novel?

[gribble]

LPH 1895-1972
(still struggling with clueing)

[Mysterons]

The preamble fails to mention that the extra words in Down clues are all synonyms of part of the novel's title.

[gribble]

Mysterons thank you so much, I have now been able to insert two down answers, not many I know, but you've given me fresh hope, so I will keep at it.