Listener Crossword 4099: Solution Notes
Double Devilry by Pointer
Puzzle explanation
The letter pattern is the same in both grids but the division into two words is different in every corresponding row and column. The clue answers and insertion points are shown in the table below, as well as the parts of the intended clues that were altered by the Devilry. The unchecked letters in rows were UCEI / UDSL / CCPI / EASC / ETEI, ie, the ten letters UCEIDSLPAT, which can be arranged as DUPLICATES.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| Answer | Entry point | Correct section |
|---|---|---|
| GRID I | ||
| MUSCLE | e/arly | … most birds, clearly emus don’t … |
| SUEDES | s/erve | Any sensitive issues deserve care … |
| ICECAP | Inven/tive | In Venice, captive audiences applaud the gondoliers |
| ALSACE | te/ll | … robber steals a cello for deals … |
| THESIS | clo/set | … clothes is set … |
| MISLIT | ti/tle | … Tim is little |
| SHEWED | l/ead | … Welsh ewe dead … |
| LIENAL | A/way | A displaced alien always wanted to return to his home country |
| BLEATS | ta/pe | A hungry boy will get to the table at speed |
| ANGERS | b/old | … banger sold to the buyer wanting an old car? |
| GRID II | ||
| CLEVIS | Un/it’s | Uncle visits the house to give a present to nephew |
| DESALT | ti/ers | … tides alters … |
| CAPLIN | ey/ed | … jockey cap lined … |
| REGALS | sea/worthy | These are Galsworthy’s words … |
| SEETHE | tou/r | … to use ether … |
| VIABLE | “Tri/m” | … trivia blemished … |
| SATANG | pi/le | … rooftop is a tangle … |
| LITRES | s/tall | … wagons-lit rest all … |
| WEDGIE | Ha/l | … hummed and hawed, Gielgud runs … |
| NALLAH | i/s | Muslims place their faith in Allah’s divine power |