I've got to agree, Mrsspag. I once got frustrated that a few years ago I finished that crossword in one hour. Now I sit and look at the thing for an hour and can't get a clue. Then, you arrive here and by about 11:00 a.m. you've got three or four threads proudly proclaiming "I've only got a couple to get" and I personally sink a bit deeper into despair. I'm only glad they've expanded the puzzles to include Countdown, Eggheads, Only Connect and Pointlesss - something I have a better chance of getting right...
It's not your imagination, chokkie. Far from it. For months The Carry On Trivia book and Liza Goddard's Autobiography were the preferred prizes for the Wordfinder. Liza Goddard's Autobiography??? Someone at the Publishing House thought that demand would far outweigh supply for that.