Six of the unclued entries (one of three words, three of two words and one hyphened; all in Chambers apart from one name; unchecked letters can spell ACTOR OR WOMEN ETC ARE CHIEF SUSPECT) share a connection which will allow the other two to be deduced. Across 9 Apparently overdrawn, and without a leg to stand on? (4) 11 Metal band twisted into antenna on the top of a building?
The unclued lights are of a kind.
Each unclued across light can be paired with a down one (one hyphened). Each member of a pair is an anagram of a name, the two names being linked and the link being the same in each case. The title suggests a sixth such pair. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe. Across 1 Woeful four bond and hoe soldier's grave (11, three words) 7 Jack reduced weight (3) 13 Punch is sick in bag (7, two words) 15 Practising classy madrigal? (5) 16 Autocrat bridges southern canyon (5) 17 Fresh and bracing Australian skating endlessly? (6) 18 Birds seen fluttering round rook (5) 22 Hairdresser in lift wearing mink?
All except four clues contain a superfluous word each. Initial letters of these words spell the titles of four 29D by 39 (two words). The first title defines four unclued lights; the second and third titles are defined by the remaining unclued lights. The fourth title (four words) is a cryptic indication of a sequence of letters formed by two clued lights; these must be highlighted.
The unclued Across lights, when correctly paired with the unclued Down ones, are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Across 4 Deer and setters disturbed fire-arm supports (11, hyphened) 11 Bits of lava surround unfortunate one (7) 13 Valentino edited modern work (9, hyphened) 14 Wader's support (5) 19 African Moslems' bad sinuses (7) 21 Isle's black pick-up (4) 23 Young tree — one that's alright round heather (7) 24 It's almost flat panic, initially! (4) 30 Medley from a couple of little girls (7) 32 In full – on the run?
16/17 (four words in total) is a work by 11 which suggests the remaining unclued lights. Five clues contain a redundant word; these can be rearranged to provide the twenty-two unchecked and cross-checking letters in all unclued entries.
Each of 23 clues comprises a definition part and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter. Each of 13 clues is of the same type, but includes two extra letters, next to each other within the jumble. The extras spell a 13-word assertion (in ODQ) by an unclued light. Concealed in a straight line in the grid is a definition (an eight-letter word) which, according to the quotation, would elude any of the other unclued lights; this word must be highlighted. Two unclued lights consist of two words each.
The unclued lights, individually (each of two words), or paired, are of a specific kind, verifiable in Brewer 17th Edition revised. Ignore a diacritic in the solution at 6 Down. Across 10 Make an impression as a sculptor? (10, three words) 12 Grim death of a harvester (6) 13 Wise men deck out, when allured (8) 17 Like the Arimaspi, seductive, not hard, English at heart (7, hyphened) 18 Tune that's popular – but not in the plane!
This puzzle marks a 42/27 by 11 in 17/19. Five other unclued lights (one twice hyphened) together suggest another form of 42/47: solvers must shade the pair. Elsewhere, ignore an accent.
After thematic 32 a 5 of 12 form the other unclued lights of which only one is a real word.
Each of twelve clues contains a superfluous word. 9 of these words are unclued lights, which are of a kind. Ignore an accent in one unclued light.
The unclued lights can be arranged into a chain of anagrams of 3 to 11 letters in length, with the addition of one letter step by step. Across 7 Towboat capsized in channel (3) 11 Contain grease once (6) 13 Against work — was perplexed (7) 15 Bender on river (5) 16 Two flowers of sorts in colleges (5) 17 Prudently state diocese (6) 20 Hymn to alluring female without power (6) 21 Associated feature that is in the can (5, hyphened) 27 Artificial swap of Mafia member (7, hyphened) 29 Warm-up races! (5) 30 One hug could become sufficient (6) 32 Great desire of ogre, edified (5) 34 Herbie's mallet for game (6) 36 Japanese artist's black structure (5) 37 Broadcasting with Grace — but not young Deborah (5, two words) ... 38 ...
‘1/5/28’ (five words in total) is part of a quotation in ODQ and suggests how to find the common element in the remaining unclued lights (41 is in Collins). The author’s surname (6) will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded.
Seven unclued lights are words that may be regarded as 13 18. The remaining unclued light supplies the material with which, in normal clue order, the 18 are 13. Elsewhere, ignore an accent.
The unclued lights, (one individually, one of two words and three pairs), are of a kind. Across 4 Popular executive having brush with copper can’t be condoned (11) 12 Left back’s round, round body (5) 13 Artless pastor immersed in revenue probe (11) 14 It’s steady to be unsteady (4) 15 One member’s a scoundrel (3) 18 Remained firm to the finish and awfully rude (7) 19 Levantine query to god’s high priesthood (7) 23 Returning runner has cost of Malay fabrics (6) 24 1300H — united — agree?
The nine unclued lights (including two of two words) form three groups of three: two of the three groups each contain words of a kind; the final group makes up a four-word title. The theme word which links the groups must be highlighted in the final grid. Ignore three accents.
The unclued lights, two of two words, are of a kind. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe. Across 1 We hear eldest son refrains from claiming media for media (8) 6 Insectivore collected nectar (6) 11 Mostly, robbery's extremely unusual in the whole passage (10) 13 Came across investment vehicle with nothing in (5) 14 Books with titles always found in literature (8) 17 Breaks in Ireland take up time … seconds (7) 18 Greek restaurant upset one on the subject of sales tax (7) 19 Receive parts of broadcast, using these for TV? (9) 22 Some Rhondda inhabitant? (3) 24 Hankered after Albert Camus's life in goal (6) 26 Wanting boundaries, Lara out to reverse sweep (3) 30 Company and partners in contract, or initially those in association?
The unclued lights (one of two words) are of a specific kind. Ignore all accents. Across 1 H-E-X? (5) 4 Series of numbers causing confab about 1 and 101 (9) 10 In an alienating way, first disproving 4 = 4. See? (10) 11 Shaver heard to be one on the way up?
‘14/7’ (four words in all) is part of a quotation from 29/1D in ODQ and is what the remaining unclued lights do in slightly different ways. The title of the relevant work will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe and an accent. Across 1 Mate nautical jester heckles (14) 9 Ancient sage twice accepted shares (4) 11 Be very surprised when earl appeases mob?
Definitions in nineteen clues are unreliable. In each of ten there is a superfluous letter, and from each of the other nine a letter is missing. Superfluous and missing letters, taken in clue order, spell four words of a quotation (in ODQ) by 9 (two words). The quotation’s next word is an unclued light which defines the remaining unclued lights, one of which is hyphened.
