Listener Crossword 4335: Solution Notes
The Old Swan by Jago
Puzzle explanation
The theme was the hunt for Agatha Christie, who disappeared in December 1926 and was eventually found staying at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate (where this year’s Listener Dinner took place on the day of this puzzle). The unclued 1ac was The Lady Vanishes and female forenames were omitted from some clue answers.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer (omitted name) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Across | ||
| 11 | PER(SIAN) | (NAPIER + (bone)S) * |
| 13 | RESTRAINT | RET around STRAIN |
| 15 | STARS | TAR in SS |
| 16 | SKIDOO | SKID + OO |
| 18 | DE(CORA)TIVE | (ECO + RAT) in DIVE |
| 20 | DETERS | T(ortoise) in DEER + S(pring) |
| 21 | EMEER | ’EM + E’ER |
| 23 | CUSS | (per)CUSS(ion) |
| 25 | INCA | IN + CA |
| 27 | VAULT | (pole) VAULT |
| 31 | STATIC | TAT in SIC |
| 33 | ORATOR | OPERATOR − PE |
| 34 | GR(ADA)TORY | GRADE-A + TORY − E |
| 36 | TREFA | (pu)TREFA(ction) |
| 37 | SCARE AWAY | SCAR + EA + WAY |
| 38 | GRE(NADINE) | (IN GARDEN) * + E(den) |
| 39 | RHODE ISLAND REDS | (LAD’S RIDDEN HORSE) * |
| Down | ||
| 1 | (SUE)T PUDDING | (SUPER DUET IN G + D − ER) * |
| 2 | HEREON | HERON around E(gg) |
| 3 | LITIGATOR | TAILOR * around GIT < |
| 4 | AGAVE | A + GAVE |
| 5 | DO-RE-MI | OLD-TIMER * = (DO-RE-MI + T + L) * |
| 6 | VELD | (dea)D-LEV(el) < |
| 7 | ASPER(GILL)US | ((th)E + SUGAR PILLS) * |
| 8 | IRKED | I + RAKED − (embarr)A(ssment) |
| 9 | HID | (ap)HID(s) |
| 10 | ENOW | (W + ONE) < |
| 12 | R(EVE)STS | REVS around (E + ST) |
| 14 | AIRCRAFT-(CARRIE)R | 2 meanings |
| 17 | OBSERVES | OB + SERVES |
| 19 | REVIEWS | RE + VIEWS |
| 22 | FLORIN | F + L(ead) + IRON * |
| 24 | S(KATE)BOARD | BASKET * + (A ROD) * |
| 26 | SAREE | (E + ERAS) < |
| 28 | TREP(ANNE)D | (ENRAPT END) * |
| 29 | STAG | GATS < |
| 30 | ARCH | ARCH(itecture) |
| 32 | COAL | CO + AL |
| 35 | TAO | OAT < |