First thing’s first — today’s puzzle is a 70-word themeless, hopefully a tad easier than the last few I’ve put up.
Second, Lollapuzzoola 7 is almost upon us! For those of you that don’t know (and I expect most of my solvers probably already do), Lollapuzzoola is an incredibly fun crossword tournament in New York City run by the estimable Brian Cimmet and Patrick Blindauer. I’ve done it twice and had one-and-a-half great times on each occasion (I had to leave one of them halfway through for a friend’s wedding). It’s on Saturday, August 9, so be sure and grab yourself a seat soon. I might actually not be able to go this year since it’s on the same weekend as my wife’s ten-year high school reunion, but you should still sign up for it. As they say, it’s the best crossword tournament held on a Saturday in August.
Finally, I’ve decided to join the 21st century. I now have a Twitter account and a Devil Cross Facebook page. If you’re in the Twitterverse or the Facespace and you’d like to get your Devil Cross updates there, follow me at @devilcrosswords and hit “Like” on Facebook. Or just tweet at me with small talk, or whatevs — I’ll use it for non-puzzle stuff too. I’ll still have the Devil Cross Google Group, though I’m curious to see how these new social media gadgets take over my life.
Hope you enjoy today’s puzzle. There will be a new one on August 2.
Update, 7/19/14 @ 11:10 am ET: My original clue for 18-Across got cut off. I hate it when that happens. It has now been fixed.
Smooth like butta.
Thank ye. I forgot to say earlier — thanks for the plug last week!
Some stumpers for me but enjoyed it.. Not a proper name guy but it was fair. I found it amusing that the last letter I entered was the final one in 9D.. Loved both the clue and the answer for 37A. Thanks again for doing this.
Cool. I tried to spread the proper nouns out evenly in this one, though there’s a bit of a clump in the southwest corner.
Not my cup of tea. Tossed it out and made a new pot. Cheers.
What specifically about it didn’t appeal to you? Too hard? Too out-of-your-wheelhouse?
Lovely. Almost Berry-esque in its flow.
Awesome, thanks! His themeless puzzles are often the ones which I admire most.
Awesome! One of those where I don’t think I’m going to be able to get anything, then it all falls into place smoothly. Lots of “Aha!” and wonderful misdirection. Great work. And awesome clue for 37-Across.
Woot! Thanks.
Another great puzzle with a lot of really good clues. Thanks so much for making these,