Each of the 22 across solutions, in clue order, contributes one unchecked letter to a two-word phrase (13,9) in Chambers 2011. This dictionary entry will enable solvers to highlight a potential victim (9,7) by (again) choosing some of the unchecked letters from fifteen across entries in the order they appear in the grid. The nine unclued lights are selected so their initial letters confirm this potential victim.
The unclued four-letter words can be paired in a particular way to form the remaining unclued lights (one of two words). Across 5 Be in contact with a jock’s love-in (6) 10 Isolation of actors Chaney and Wallach by headland (10) 12 Scar on saint is something of a problem (6) 13 Still the champion, having downed the sticky bun first (8) 16 Little US heads (5) 17 Hermes’ footwear for 100 sene at ‘The Valley’ (7) 18 Does the gallery own something like Trident?
Unclued lights form four thematic pairs, one of which combines to form a single word.
1D is the title of a work minus a word that is suggested by three further unclued lights. Other unclued lights include the person to whom the word refers, who is addressed in the work as ‘9’ (three words, one hyphened), and the addresser and his servant, both of whom are in disguise.
The unclued lights are broadly of a kind (33 differs from the others, though 33K would have been more appropriate, if it fitted in!). Each one Across can somehow be paired with a Down one. Elsewhere, ignore one accent.
Five Christmas carols (5, 6, 5, 3 and 4 words respectively) have been re-arranged, and re-titled at 23/38 (4 words), 59/54/62D/5 (4 words), 87/12/74 (4 words), 20 (5 words) and 72/46A (3 words). A sixth carol (19 letters, 4 words) has been concealed in the grid under a new title (4 words), which must be highlighted. The initials of all six original carols can spell CUT BACK SWIM — COMFORT ICY DIGITS. Ignore an accent in 36D. Across 1 Clocks measure time with seconds and musical rods (9) 8 Maths groups used for secret filming (10, two words) 15 Council reduced fare (4) 17 Get embarrassed once, when chap stripped me (6) 19 Poet is male but not good, having male characteristics (8) 21 Shocks the distressed may choose?
Each of seventeen clues comprises a definition part and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter. The extras spell a four-word excerpt from a quotation (in ODQ) from a translation of a work by 10 (two words). Clues in italics consist of cryptic indications of partial answers; in each case, the indicated part must be treated in accordance with the quotation to create the full answer to be entered in the grid. Definitions of the resulting entries (two of which are hyphened) are supplied by unclued lights.
The unclued lights (all but two of two words) are of a kind, listed in Chambers 2011. Elsewhere, ignore one accent.
Our hero must be revealed by shading six cells appropriately. Four unclued lights are key words in 11s featuring the hero. Remaining unclued lights (including one of three words) each need shading appropriately to produce four further 11s (minus definite articles), each one connected to one of the previous 11s. Unchecked and cross-checking letters in unclued entries could make A DEAR CONFESSOR WIN. Across 1 Band during live heavy metal add trimming (8) 10 Cooked au gratin, sour starters (12) 11 Heading from Thailand wearing hat (5) 13 Indian’s penning most of ancient languages (7) 16 Females getting implants (4) 17 Correct pieces put in base, see?
Nine unclued lights can be separated into three groups; each group consists of three definitions of one of three words into which the remaining unclued light can be separated.
The unclued lights, across and down respectively, are of a kind, all verifiable in Chambers. Across 4 Single instruction on small firm's photo visible to the naked eye (11) 11 Accidental but obvious choice (7) 12 Hard-hitting county fellow (6) 13 Following out, disturbed – get angry about it (9) 14 Drain away from church next to grass (5) 16 Speech from Republican lacking colour outwardly (5) 19 Impolite relative cut out 1/6 (7) 23 Crime writer's good classification (7) 24 Crazy about knock out (4) 25 Cover could be coat. Yes!
Each of two associated words is suggested by four unclued lights (one of two words). Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 1 Tending spiders dope rendered legless (11) 7 Letter goblin sent back (3) 11 Scripture lessons unite flock? (6) 13 Obeser bod perhaps in bed infected by acute respiratory disease (7) 15 I take 70 pictures (5) 16 The ruler's leading pleasure (5) 17 Otto and John in greaser's gear? (6) 18 Paddy skinned sausages (5) 20 Letter from Zambia absorbed by little lad and lass (6) 21 German fills empty boat (5) 22 Dish from 17 November rehashed (7) 27 Elderly satyr swaps uniform for English campions?
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!
