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The instructions were really long this time so I couldn't fit them completely in the copyright field. I edited them a lot, but hope the sense remains. The verbatim instructions are in the notepad so you can see them on the screen, but that doesn't print on the hard copy. Let me know of any mistakes or suggestions: web.ics.purdue.edu/~ab/puzzles/guardian/genius144.puz

Easiest way during these difficult times is to block the whole page (Control and A) and then copy and paste it into a blank word document, then delete all the crap and you end up with all of it on 1 1/2 pages with the special instructions.

One of the best I can remember. Very clever dual theme. However, still got 2 clues to go & would appreciate hint(s):-
9A - a literal close relative of the weasel would fit but make no sense cryptically to me, possibly be too simplistic, and cause problems for 5D (-F-T), the other unsolved clue.
Thanks for any help.

Re sid48.....I agree!

Your 'F' in 5D is wrong.

I assume you've worked out which word to ignore in 9A? The last word of the clue is a 'container' in the answer so focus on what might be meant by 'pieces'.

Thanks Simon. Kicked myself on both counts.

9a anagram of rat inside "pieces" (as in chess pieces/ synonym for that)
Your F is wrong
5d 4 letter magazine reversed - defn = issue

hi all,
just got Genius 144 down. read your inputs - got a few solutions but haven't got a clue as to the theme. A few pointers would be appreciated :-)). Writers? Composers? or What?

If you have some answers in the top left corner look at the letters along the top of the grid -they are the beg of an author. Several clue answers are characters in the authors book.

thank you, sdk.
I had a feeling that it may have been that author and his books, but I could not determine the sequential letters from reading the instructions, i.e. the redundant word first letters in consecutive clues do not appear to produce the theme solution. (unless I 'm reading them wrong).

The 1st 9 redundants give the name of a pop group (4,5). If you have that google it with the author and the book and you will see it all hopefully!