Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Definitely hard to know where that line is at times.
Just seen that my text was deleted too - would always rather that than give too much away.
You're doing a great job, Norah!

Yes agree - further to my post #️94 - A few weeks ago my post was deleted by Norah at my request (after a prompt by candledave) when I fell foul of my own advice ... Although always careful to conceal the theme, give complete answers etc ... my nudge, inadvertantly, might have led to an indication of how the crossword was constructed ... It is a case of 'walking on eggshells' ...

Crates, thanks for your post - and also for getting an earlier one of yours deleted! I think it's really tricky for people who've done the puzzle to keep significant info, however slight, out of their posts - hence the 'inadvertent' referred to in the Listener thread opener.

I think Norah's MO - err on the side of caution - is a sensible option, it's better to be safe than sorry. Norah also made a good point about not wanting to thwart beginners. I'm sure many experienced hands would like more solvers to enjoy the full fun, glory, challenge of Listeners - a little encouragement and yes, a little help, could go a very long way.

Thanks ... As per some of my previous comments on this site ... As a lifelong lover of crosswords ... I am in 'the more than merrier' camp as opposed to 'it's a closed shop' ... (memories of a complaint on another site once that I happen to be a member of) ... If you submit, giving assistance to others will reduce your chances of winning ... A fair point ... of course from somebody who no longer sumits ...

Best puzzle of this year for me.
Shame about the typo as it made me wonder for a while if there was more than one mistake in the puzzle, especially after we had an extra clue number wrongly left in the grid 3 or 4 weeks ago.

I think the contributors to this forum usually get things just right: some specific help with individual clues if needed, but only the vaguest allusions to the end game. Thanks to the forum I can almost always finish the puzzle with just the odd encouraging prompt. I like the collegiate feel, the individual characters of the contributors, and being able to provide help too if someone else doesn't get there first.
A neat puzzle this week, despite the Northeast corner, as several have mentioned. The only clue that's defeated me is 12 across. I have the answer but still can't parse it. And I'm puzzled as to how the fourth friend is 'linked to the source of the Lady friends'. Any hints?

Hi Mack,

I'm only part way through this ( it's very tough!) but I think it's 3 letter "she" + 2 letter "line"

Note by Admin - text amended at the request of Brendan

Sorry, 3 letter "she"

Please feel free to ask Norah to delete that part of my post if anyone thinks it's stepped over the line - I can't say for sure because I don't even know if it's correct!

This is why I hardly ever post on this thread any longer 🤕

Thanks, Brendan. That's what I've got. It's the first three words that I'm stuck on.

Mack, Google the first word but don't get stuck on the first hits . And/or think about the source of most obscure words in the Listener and then Google the first word. Then look up your solution in the BRB.