Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Welcome to CLUE CHAIN.

The idea is to start with a cryptic clue - set by me this week.

The first correct solver, judged by the setter, is then invited to offer their clue and so on.

Once you have solved and then set a clue you cannot answer again for the time being - see below.

15 min time limit per clue and if not solved the setter must declare the clue 'open' and everybody can play again.

If an open clue is not solved quickly the setter should offer hints until someone can solve and continue.

Game usually finishes about 6pm. If you would like to start CLUE CHAIN please volunteer next Monday.

This week's opening clue is:
By all accounts, this star is lacking in humour. (6)

Sirius ?

Well done, GK - your go.

hi, Chris!
I'm sorry if this one's a bit difficult, but it occurred to me while reading Ian McEwan's "Enduring Love", starting with an insignificant detail (in fact a word I'd never heard or seen myself, but you more likely have)in an otherwise extremely PROFOUND novel. We'll see how it goes: I'll jump in with extra hints if & when necessary, I promise. Just HAD to try it out, knowing how clever you people are...............
Sounds like a black ball game (7)

No ideas as yet, despite looking up "Enduring love" in Wikipedia (though I do now know what de Clerambault's syndrome is!)
If the "sounds like" means what it usually means, how much of the rest of the clue is included in this (i.e. how much of the clue is definition?)

Last part is definition. "Sounds like" refers especially to spelling of a kind of ball.
I've got plenty more little clues ready for when you call.
Tip: Bradford's would be more useful than the McEwan (tho' the word comes near the beginning in that famous first chapter). btw Do you realize the "expertise" attached at the end was a hoax: an anagram of the 2 invented psychiatrists' names forms Ian McEwan! He fooled a lot of shrinks in the UK &

Last part is definition. "Sounds like" refers especially to spelling of a kind of ball.
I've got plenty more little clues ready for when you call.
Tip: Bradford's would be more useful than the McEwan (tho' the word comes near the beginning in that famous first chapter). btw Do you realize the "expertise" attached at the end was a hoax: an anagram of the 2 invented psychiatrists' names forms Ian McEwan! He fooled a lot of shrinks in the UK &

...............US!

...thinking aloud (or on keyboard, at least) BRAVELY? Is that the right meaning of "game"?

One of my favourite novels, GK. The hoax at the end shouldn't have fooled professionals as the Journal title does not exist (please do not ask how I know!)