EV 1012 Drab Cops by Nudd

[dr b]

Hello N&Cers, took a long time for the PDM on this one, but well worth the wait, I thought. A very nice twist to the 12 clues. Thanks for the workout, Nudd.

[ringer]

Hi All
I definitely prefer the subtle hints only. I struggled with this week's EV but relished the challenge - I much prefer the little grey cells (which are diminishing rapidly) to be stretched over a few days rather than having a "quick fix". As for the N & C, long may it continue. It's refreshing to converse with like-minded solvers. Well said, devadolly.

[novalis]

Just to add to the debate, in a crossword of this nature I much prefer subtle hints or guidance.

[slaney]

I have got to the stage that I prefer subtle hints these days, but (pause while I jam on Devil's Advocate hat) in the early stages I was grateful for the direct help which used to be freely available on this thread - for example...

http://www.theanswerb...Question457131-1.html

...even though that particular one ended in tears!

And the interesting thing is that in that case the setter did not seem to mind...
http://www.theanswerb...s/Question473825.html

[dr_b_too]

I also prefer hints and have often turned to this site for a gentle push on the right direction. Luckily I solved the theme before reading the thread.
I currently have the grid filled but haven't COPped the BARD at 2d and lack ODQ7.
Can't there be more than one thread?

[slaney]

Hi dr_b_too, (can't have too many doctors on one thread, I suppose!) I had the same problem with 2d, the quotation was not in my elderly ODQ 4th Ed. Went into the bookshop to have a peep, and ended up buying the 7th Edition - and very good it is too.
When you put the word into an anagram solver such as Utsire, a barbiturate comes up as one of the answers. If you Google this the poet's name should come up.
I think it has been suggested in the past that direct answers should be asked for on another thread.