Listener Crossword 4302: Solution Notes
When All Else Fails by Ottorino
Puzzle explanation
The puzzle is based on Dorothy Parker’s poem Résumé. Letters restored in clues spelt “Algonquin Hotel”, where she used to meet with Robert Benchley, Robert Sherwood and others in a group known as the Algonquin Round Table or the Vicious Circle.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Missing letter | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | |||
| 1 | DARRE | RR in DAE | |
| 6 | CHANTAGE | CHANGE around TA | |
| 11 | SOCINIAN | (S + (N)INIAN) around OC | |
| 12 | (A)gain | RELIT | (pu)RE LIT(hium) |
| 15 | VIZARDS | LIZARDS with V for L | |
| 16 | wor(L)d | VARSAL | V + ARS + A + L |
| 18 | WOOLDED | (WOE + D) around OLD | |
| 20 | WAMPEE | (W + PEE(l)) around AM | |
| 22 | PARTERRES | TRAP < + SERRE < | |
| 23 | FIGO | IF < + GO; ref. footballer Luís Figo | |
| 24 | HUSSARS | (USSR HAS) * | |
| 26 | ARGUED | (FIREGUARD − FIR) * | |
| 28 | PEATY | EAT in PY | |
| 29 | (G)rip | GET | (A Passa)GE T(o India) |
| 30 | sh(O)es | MULES | MALES with U for A |
| 33 | PLANAR | LANA(i) in PR | |
| 37 | SINNERS | INNER in SS | |
| 38 | mi(N)d | IDEA | EA after ID |
| 39 | INTERCOMS | (INTERCOMS + DO IN) * = (INCIDENT ROOMS) | |
| 41 | RANDAN | R AND A + N | |
| 42 | SEA BOAT | SABOTAGE * − G | |
| 44 | KEYWAY | WAY after KEY | |
| 46 | SURPLUS | PL in (homophone of SIR + US) | |
| 47 | s(Q)uint | MOOSE | SOME * around O |
| 48 | SMELLERS | ELLE in (S + MR + (cros)S(word)) | |
| 49 | POURSUES | (HOUSES OF ILL REPUTE) * − (I FEEL LOTH) * | |
| 50 | SEANS | homophone of SCENES | |
| Down | |||
| 2 | ho(U)se | DOOR | DO + OR |
| 3 | VARIERS | ARRIVES * | |
| 4 | nor(I) | SEAWARE | SE + A + WAR + E(ntrant) |
| 5 | CADIS | SIC < around AD | |
| 6 | me(N)tal | ARTESIAN WELLS | (INSERT SEA WALL) * |
| 7 | DAN | 2 meanings | |
| 8 | ELABORATENESS | (BE LESS ORNATE) * around A | |
| 9 | DENTIL | DEN + LIT < | |
| 10 | REH | HER < | |
| 13 | AWFUL | FUL(l) after (A + W) | |
| 14 | (H)and | GIVE | GIE around V |
| 17 | GAMP | P after GAM | |
| 18 | SOPRA | S(uspicion) + OPERA − E | |
| 19 | RUD | RUD(e) | |
| 21 | b(O)ody | MOPER | MORE * around P |
| 25 | HARPY | HARP + (bo)Y | |
| 27 | SEAMS | ASSUME * − U | |
| 31 | (T)rail | TRAIPSE | PIRATES * |
| 32 | LOOSENS | LOO + S + E + N + S | |
| 34 | AD REM | (MADE + R) * | |
| 35 | s(E)at | SEDANS | (accu)SED ANS(wering) |
| 36 | AYIN | AY + IN | |
| 37 | SAC | (bu)S + A + C | |
| 38 | YONI | YO + IN < | |
| 40 | EARNS | NEAR − N + N + S | |
| 43 | p(L)ants | MEUS | ME + US |
| 45 | ERK | (Fr)E(de)R(ic)K | |
| 46 | SUE | 2 meanings | |