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Clues and Grid by Puck
Theme: Diet of Worms (28 Jan – 25 May 1521)
The winner of the April puzzle was Sheila Brain of Exmouth.
With this puzzle Puck was the winner of the 2019 RPM Trophy (3D’s end of year competition for 3D crossword designers) so I’ve very much been looking forward to solving it.
We were told that the puzzle marks a notable anniversary of religious significance. Eight asterisked clues have no definition; their solutions are examples of those who might, in part at least, enjoy a 13. Two (some might argue four) of these are in the plural form. Letters in the highlighted cells can be arranged to give the name of one whose 13 was enforced, and probably endured rather than enjoyed. Solvers should submit this name (6,6) with their entry. One solution is an abbreviation.
This was a delightful puzzle to solve. It had all the ingredients of a quality 3D puzzle. Entertaining clues and a good theme which held its secrets until near the end of the solve. An unusual set of thematic words which emerged during the solve with not a lot in common, so that suspense was maintained. Plus a wholly justified smile at the denouement.
In part because it isn’t clued, the theme remains unknown until very near the end of the solve. The mixed menagerie of creatures that emerge as theme words during the solve don’t give much of a clue towards guessing/determining the theme earlier in the solve. My first four were TOADS, PERCH, BEARS and BLACKBIRD. What on earth was the connection? Incidentally, for the skeptics, I can confirm that BEARS are not above worms when more delectable fare like salmon is in short supply.
There were a welter of superb clues. Two I thought particularly inspired led to the theme:
clue 22
Dad’s Army? Some versions of it wouldn’t look out of place in 13?
for PASTA
and clue 8
President Trump’s primarily a gullible fool, heading off for 13?
for BUSH TUCKER. (13 was DIET OF WORMS.)
Eventually, towards the very end of the solve, I got the theme from the anagram of Martin Luther, and Diet of Worms came as a complete surprise and raised a genuine smile. Great fun.
Your comments were overwhelmingly positive and I enjoyed reading them as, I’m sure, will Puck. Thank you. I’ve picked out for special mention a comment from JC which came in the form of a cryptic clue:
“This sort of clue a bull moose finds disgusting (6)”.
None of us can fathom it out so we’d welcome an insight from anyone, including JC, who can.
Alan Goddard
Grid solution
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