I am thoroughly enjoying this beautifully clued crossword and have already found the theme and quotation. Great fun, thank you, Merlin. (Still some finishing touches to go - have to find and replace the distraught protagonist.)
Bah humbug - spent ages on the staring process, but kept putting it off in the hope that my mind would work on it in the background. Then unexpected visit from daughter yesterday meant i missed the deadline - first time this year - given up!