April 2019 – Web Ramblings by Lucian Poll (2023)

A good riddle this week with some beautifully crafted clues and just a handful of exotic solutions. Below is my full grid as well as explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope they help.

As always, some housework before we start. If you are looking for solutions to previous puzzles, go to mine.Just for funbook page. If horror fiction is your thing, then I have somereviewsyou may like that. I should have a rating ofBest new horror 5come soon, you lucky ones.

Okay, I won't hold you back anymore. Please.

LP

through alleys

1. Verity be a good husband? Or less than faithful? (10.4.3.5)

Responder:ECONOMICAL WITH THE TRUTH. The solution satisfies "be a good husband to Verity" - caring can mean economic management, while Verity is another word for truth - and "less than faithful". A pretty well done track.

13. Something to chew on: The lifter gets a cock! (6)

Responder:Kum(i.e. "Stick"). The solution is CUD (meaning "something to chew") followed by GEL (meaning "setter," as in something that sets).

14. So long grass skirts? That doesn't ring! (3-1-3)

Responder:RAT-A-ACT. The solution is RAT (ie "grass", as in "rat" on someone), which "bypasses" TA-TA (ie "so long"), like this: RA(TATA)T. Associated with the clue, a "rat-a-tat" indicates someone used a knocker instead of ringing a bell.

15. Sink to fill? Revealing butt maybe! (8th)

Responder:DECOLLETE(i.e. “butt telltale perhaps,” as in low-necked garments). The solution is NECK (i.e. “down a drink”) followed by LINE (i.e. “fill up”).

16. Cheeses sold without a European country (3.10)

Responder:THE SEYCHELLES(i.e. "country"). The solution is an anagram (denoted by "Type") of CHEESES YOU SELL, since one of the E's has been removed (denoted by "Exclusively European", where E is a recognized abbreviation for "European").

18. Mit Metallstiften und -nadeln, hässlich, aber ohne Blei (6)

Responder:anthill(i.e. "having needles"). The solution is TIN (i.e. "metal") followed by UGLY (i.e. "awful") with the first letter removed (i.e. "but unleaded" - a nice red herring), like this: TIN-GLY.

20. Terrible villain claims to have stolen half our people (10)

Responder:cadaver(i.e. "terrible"). The solution is CAD (i.e., "rotter") followed by AVERS (i.e., "claims"), which has OU "nipped" (i.e., "[the first] half of us"), like so: CAD-AVER(OR)S .

21. Song A Little Bird Trusts (2,4,4,2)

Responder:HOW THE TIME FLIES(that's music"). The solution is A, then S (an accepted abbreviation for "small"), followed by TIME (i.e. "bird" - both alternative words for imprisonment) and GOES BY (i.e. "relies on" ).

24. Press starting point first (6)

Responder:THROAT(i.e. "press"). The solution is IN (i.e. "[at] home"), then S (an accepted abbreviation for "south" - i.e. a "point" on a compass), then IST (i.e. "first").

26. Succumb in vain, for example in exercises (8)

Responder:TO PRODUCE(i.e. "succumb"). “Exercises” displays anagram. The solution is an anagram of IDLY EG IN.

28. Glow from someone with a strong desire to be heard (6)

Responder:SEEM(i.e. "glow"). "To be heard" indicates that the answer is a homophone of LUSTER (i.e. "someone with a strong desire").

30th event where there is a twin montage challenge? (3-5.4)

Responder:RACE OF TWO HORSES. "Montes" in this context means horses rather than mountains.

31. Small oil factories in USA producing fuel (10)

Responder:ORIMULSION, which, as they say here, is an emulsion of bitumen, water and detergents used as "fuel". A new one for me. "Works" indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of MINOR US OIL.

33. Poison sample found in the schoolyard (10)

Responder:STRYCHNIN(i.e. "poison"). The solution is TRY (i.e. "[to] sample") placed "in" SCH (an accepted abbreviation for "school") followed by NINE (i.e. "square", specifically 3×3), like so: S (TRY ) CH-NINE. Another well done track.

34. Romance Keeping (initially) prose writer father in a job (6-6)

Responder:WORKER PREST(i.e. "dad in a job"). "Roman" displays anagram. The solution is an anagram of K (i.e. "keep (at the beginning)") and PROSE WRITER.

35. Bring boat from Islay, Stornoway (4,2)

Responder:LEAVES FOR(i.e. "Bring the boat"). "From" indicates the solution is hidden in lane, like this: IS(LAY STO)RNOWAY.

37. Spy's external tracking account in French, very theatrical (8)

Responder:ACTRESS(i.e. "theatrical"). The solution is SY (i.e. "spy is out", i.e. the first and last letters of "spy"), followed by or "tracking", AC (an accepted abbreviation for "account") and TRES (i.e. "in French very" , the French because "very" is "three"), so: AC-TRES-SY.

38. Always accompanying the band parade (6)

Responder:WE MADE(i.e. "[to] parade"). The solution is AY (i.e. "always", here understood as "yes" or "yes" or its alternative form "ay") "after" SASH (i.e. "band" - think beauty pageants), i.e.: SASH-AY.

40. Doctor on his back in a supporting role (6.6)

Responder:SECOND FIDDLE(i.e. "cameo"). The solution is SECOND (i.e., “support [someone]”) followed by FIDDLE (i.e., “treat [something]”).

41. The playwright may miss the meeting with the dignitary (10)

Answer: JohnGALSWERTIG, who wrote, among other things,A Saga Forsyte(Ask your grandparents, kids). Finally "playwright". The solution is GALS (i.e. "may miss" - lack as in single women) followed by WORTHY (i.e. "dignitary").

43. The size of a Hungarian woman's hat is not remembered more than once (3.3)

Responder:ZSA ZSAGabor (i.e. "Hungarian woman"). "Not weird" indicates that the solution is hidden in the even letters ofHATSEUZEonce undone (indicated by "collapsed"). "More than once" indicates that the ZSA will be repeated. I can't help but think the setter got cornered here.

45. Henry accepts the risk after changing his previous rating (7,2,4)

Responder:HISTORY IS BAG, a quote attributed to Henry Ford (i.e. "Henry...his earlier assessment"). The solution is an anagram (denoted by "changing") of H (for "Henry") and BUYS INTO RISK. Given the context of the quote, this is an excellent hint - probably the best since I started posting these solutions.

48. Skin Condition That Affects Those With Mottled Faces At First Within A Month (8)

Responder:JAUBAN(i.e. “skin condition”). The solution is A (i.e. "originally affected", i.e. the first letter of "concerning") placed "within" JUN (i.e. "month", specifically an accepted abbreviation for June) and followed by DICE (i.e. "those with smeared faces") ) , something like this: J(A)UN-DICE. Another good 'un.

49. A scarf in the picture if you hear that? (7)

Responder:ATTISHOO. The solution talks about how it sounds like EIN TISSUE (i.e. "a handkerchief").

51. I've seen investigators distance themselves from society (6)

Responder:TOP(i.e. "saw", which can mean a motto or proverb). The solution is CID (i.e. "investigator", concretely the police criminal investigation department) reversed (denoted by "step to the side") and followed by TUM (i.e. "corporation" - an alternative meaning of the word is the belly), like then: DIC -Tum.

52. Do you like holding the k keys? (8,6,8)

Responder:THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING(i.e. "flavor"). The solution talks about how K is often used to represent thousands and how "keys" can be a group of islands.

tracks down

2. Riddles of Olden Times! (4)

Responder:KERN(i.e. "riddle"). The solution is CRU (i.e. "vintage") followed by X (i.e. "times" as in the multiplication symbol).

3. The sick pace turns into a nightmare (13)

Responder:NIGHTMARE(i.e. "like a bad dream"). "Return" stands for anagram. The solution is an anagram of SICK RHYTHMS.

4. Chap took notes in a foreign language (7)

Responder:MALTESIC(i.e. “foreign language”). The solution is MALE (i.e. "Chap") who "took" TES (i.e. "Grades" as on the Doh-Ray-Me scale - can be written TE or TI), so: MAL(TES)E.

5. Short dog tail (3)

Responder:WHERE(i.e. "a dog"). The solution is CURT (i.e. "short") which has been "trimmed" (i.e. the last letter has been removed - following something might mean removing its tail).

6. Milky liquids after hours, mainly taken with cold foods (7)

Responder:The traverse, which is the plural form of "latex" (i.e., "milky liquid"). The solution is LATE (i.e. "after hours") with the last letter removed (denoted by "mostly"), followed by ICES (i.e. "cold dishes"), like so: LAT-ICES.

7. A confusing collection of books (2,3,6)

Responder:NA SELA(i.e., "upstairs," as in someone who is the center of attention, e.g., "who's next?"). The answer is I (Roman numeral "one") followed by NT (meaning "collection of books", specifically the New Testament of the Bible), then ER'S (meaning "companion" - think of it as "the companion is" before the possessive) and ADDLE (i.e. "confused" - the past tense seems misleading here). It's not a classic.

8. Where to stay in Arnhem after November? (5)

Responder:HOTEL(i.e. “Accommodation”). The solution talks about the fact that in "Arnhem" the letter H ("hotel" in the phonetic alphabet) is "after" N ("November" in the phonetic alphabet). Another well done track.

9. Giving is generous (8)

Responder:BONITO(i.e. "generous"). The solution is HAND (meaning "to give") followed by SOME (meaning "some").

10. Suggested that a certain lack of sophistication occurred (5)

Responder:IMPLIED(i.e. "implicit"). "Some" indicates that the solution is hidden in the trace, while "upside down" indicates that the solution has been reversed since this is a downward trace, like here: SOPHIS(TICAT)ION.

11. Swedes are looking for a university place - they live the good life! (9)

Responder:HOCHLANDER(i.e. "they live a good life"). The solution is ANDERS (i.e. "Swedish"), which is placed or "chased" after U and PL (respectively recognized abbreviations for "university" and "place"), like so: U-PL-ANDERS.

12. Impressive hair grip for a 7 year old? (9.9)

Responder:MUSTACHE. The solution talks about how someone on the saddle (referenced by "7 [down]") of a bicycle would "hold" a handlebar and how handlebar whiskers are actually "fantastic hair".

17. Son wears synthetic material before picking up pants (5.5)

Responder:EPOXY RESIN(i.e. “synthetic material”). The solution is ERE (i.e. a poetic form of "before") "collect" POXY (i.e. "pants", as in garbage), followed by S (an accepted abbreviation for "son") and IN (i.e. "to wear"). , something like this: E(POXY)RE-S-IN.

19. Recent careers, though far from the best? (3,4,7,4)

Responder:BAD NEWS COMES FAST. Another tricky clue, this one. "Current" may mean NEWS; "if it's anything but the best" suggests it's BAD NEWS, while "career" could mean TRAVEL FAST. Sew them all together and voila. To be honest I don't usually like such bland tracks.

22. Opening of Indian restaurants for events (9)

Responder:Tandooris(i.e. “Indian restaurants”). The solution is DOOR (i.e. "aperture"), which is substituted into TAN (i.e. "function", specifically a recognized abbreviation for "tangent", one of the six trigonometric functions) and I'S (Roman numeral "one" set as possessive). will be as follows: TAN - (DOOR) - That's it.

23. Liberal MP laughs madly, leaves jubilant (9)

Responder:GALUMPAS(i.e. "walks happily"). Solution is an anagram (labeled "wildly") of L (a recognized abbreviation of "Liberal") and MP LACHT.

25. Couple with gold chain around middle of cedar (9)

Responder:MADEIRA, a variety of “trees” from the wood of which quite good torches are made. The solution is TWO (i.e. "pair") "hold" OR (i.e. "gold" in heraldry) and CH (an accepted abbreviation for "chain" (a linear measure of 100 feet, it says here) followed by O ( i.e. "round") and D (i.e. "middle of cedar"), something like this: T(OR-CH)WO-O-D I think an anagram from Doctor Who would have been too obvious .

27. Welshman, key journalist, gradually disappeared (9)

Responder:EVANESCIDO(i.e. "gradually disappeared"). The solution is EVAN (i.e. "Welsh") followed by ESC (i.e. "key", specifically the escape key in the top left corner of a keyboard) and ED (i.e. "journalist", specifically, a recognized abbreviation for "editor"). .

29. High School Police Invasion: Many resulting changes (4.6)

Responder:LIFE CYCLES(i.e. "too many changes"). "Stormed" displays anagram. Solution is an anagram of LYCEE FLICS.

32. The emotion you feel when you stop certain actions while swimming? (8.5)

Responder:SCISSORS KICK. The solution satisfies “the excitement [i.e. kicks] received from hitting" and "certain actions while swimming".

34. Kind Cockney House raised money for Iranian monument (3.8)

Responder:WAR MEMORIAL(i.e. "monument"). The solution is WARM (i.e. "type") followed by OME (i.e. "Cockney home", i.e. the word "home" after the H is omitted), reversed (indicated by "raise" - this is a track down) and followed by RIAL (i.e. "cash for Iranians"), like this: WARM-EMO-RIAL.

36. The Irish supporters end the letter with a sudden emphatic appeal (9)

Responder:STRENGTH(i.e. "suddenly insistent" - had an odd feeling that would be a musical term - tick one in my Chambers thesaurus for giving me that one). The solution is SF (i.e. "Irish Party", especially Sinn Fein) followed by OR (i.e. "men", especially the other ranks of the Army), then Z (i.e. "final letter") , then , AND (i.e. "with"), then O (i.e. "word of request", e.g. in "O brother, where are you?"), so: SF-OR-Z-AND- O . Holy crap.

39. Australian Rules Football Team te-heeing grob (8)

Responder:EIGHTEEN(i.e. "Australian Rules Football Team"). "Rude" indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of TE-HEEING.

41. Monster Crackling Finally online: call ended prematurely (7)

Responder:BEAT(i.e. "monsters"). The solution is G (i.e. "crackling", i.e. the last letter of "crackling"), followed by RY (i.e. "line", specifically a recognized abbreviation of "railway") and PHONE with the last letter removed (i.e. " call ended prematurely"), something like this: G-RY-PHON.

42. Do you want to hear a little forest bug? (5-2)

Responder:HE WOULD BE(i.e. "aspire to"). "Listen" indicates that the solution is a homophone of WOOD BEE (ie "little forest bug").

44. Good friends are the last to respawn inappropriately (5)

Responder:INCORRECT(i.e. "inappropriate"). The solution is called AMIS (i.e. "Nice friends" - Nice as in the French city - the French for "friends" is "amis"). "Last to respawn" indicates that the last letter of AMIS is repeated.

46. ​​I may have crawled in front of the teacher (5)

Responder:SWAMI(i.e. “[Hindu] teacher”). The solution is SWAM (i.e. "what crawl, maybe", as in stroke) followed by I (Roman numeral "one").

47. Helping a five-year-old child with strabismus (4)

Responder:QUIN(i.e. “five-year-old child”). A strabismus is a fancy name for a squint that, as you can see, includes the solution: S(QUIN)T.

50. Ravine Above the Delta, Anything But Ordinary (3)

Responder:CHANCE(i.e. "far from ordinary"). The answer is OD (meaning "gorge", specifically a recognized abbreviation for "overdose") followed by D ("delta" in the phonetic alphabet).

Today's puzzle was a bit smelly, we suspect, but we've certainly had worse. Some of the puns were a bit of a hassle to sort through, but at least the grid wasn't cluttered with countless dead, plant, and musical terms. Below is my full grid as well as explanations of my solutions where I have them.

As always, some housekeeping before we start: if you're looking for past Times Jumbo Cryptics solutions, head over to mineJust for funbook page. If you're into horror fiction, my goodnessreviewsPage may contain something interesting.

Okay, I won't hold you back anymore. To enjoy! I will watch Game of Thrones.

LP

through alleys

1. Big rat running around, one makes fun (9)

Responder:DEFLECTOR(i.e. “a provider of fun”). The solution is L (a recognized abbreviation for "big") with DEFECTOR (ie "mouse") "walking around", like this: DEF(L)ECTOR.

6. The editor rejected a text that is lazy (13)

Responder:DECOMPOSITION(i.e. "to rot"). The solution is ED (i.e. "editor", specifically an abbreviation for "editor" - a bit of an exaggeration in my not-so-humble opinion, but we'll leave it at that) reversed (denoted by "rejected") and followed by COMPOSITION (i.e. "Writing ’), something like this: DE-COMPOSITION.

13. As some say, Dorothy's or Charlie's coat (5)

Responder:PARK(i.e. "cloak"). "As some say" indicates that the solution is a homophone of "Parker," the surname of Dorothy (the poet) and Charlie (the jazz saxophonist - fans of John Connolly might suspect otherwise).

14. Again and again getting drunk is no fun - like these (9)

Responder:INFUSIONS(i.e. "drunk - like these are"). "Get drunk" indicates anagram. The solution is an anagram of I'S and I'S (i.e. "one is repeated" as in Roman numerals - ignore the misleading apostrophe) and NO FUN.

15. Retired pilot delayed a performance (7)

Responder:EXPLORE(i.e. an action or “performance”). The solution is EX-PILOT (i.e. "former aviator"), where I secured some points (indicated by "delay one" as in roman numeral).

16. Rascal unhesitatingly adapts old game into book (6,6,7,3)

Responder:SPY TAILOR SOLDIER(i.e. a “book” by John Le Carré). The solution is TINKER (i.e. "Rogue") then TAILORS (i.e. "adapts") followed by OLD (i.e. "old") and I SPY (i.e. "Game") placed around or "without" ER (i.e. "Hesitation"), like back then: TINKER-TAILORS-OLD-I-(ER)-SPY. A pretty well done track.

18. Venue cricket team for players (2-6)

Responder:ON BODY(i.e. "place for gamers"). The solution is ON (i.e. "cricket side", sometimes referred to as leg side) followed by SCREEN (i.e. "test" - how certain things are checked for their suitability in things like phone calls).

20. Concern for the old figure of the vegetable hydrocarbon producer (8)

Responder:CAROTENE(i.e. "vegetable hydrocarbon"). The solution is CARE (ie "concern"), placed "above" O (an accepted abbreviation for "alt") and DEZ (ie "figure"), so: CAR(O-TEN)E. I had to look one up as I couldn't help but see "Gasoline" with the letters _A_O_E_E.

21. Deliberately delivers a board game (5)

Responder:LARGO, a musical term meaning broad and slow (i.e. "deliberate"). The solution is L and R (i.e. "hands" as in accepted abbreviations for "left" and "right") placed "around" A and then followed by GO (i.e. "a board game"), as follows: L(A) R-GO.

23. Can the seat break in the empty gallery? (6)

Responder:GRUMPY(i.e. "likely to burst"). The solution is RUMP (i.e. "seat") placed in G and Y (i.e. "empty gallery", i.e. the word "gallery" with middle letters removed), as follows: G(RUMP)Y .

24. Someone is accused of not giving in (6)

Responder:PROTON(i.e. “one is charged”). The solution is PRO (i.e. "to") followed by NOT in reverse (denoted by "indent"), like so: PRO-TON.

25. Dog circles stallion and drops head from tiredness (9)

Responder:LANGUOR(i.e. "fatigue"). The solution is LASSIE (i.e. "dog"), "circling" STUD (i.e. "horse") with its initial removed (indicated by "dropping head"), like this: LASSI(TUD)E.

28. What distracts the blushing husband, misbehaves (3:7)

Responder:DIVERSION MANEUVERS(i.e. "what distracts"). The solution is RED (i.e. "blush"), followed by H (an accepted abbreviation for "husband") and ERRING (i.e. "bad behavior").

29. The first person in the country sought the job (4)

Responder:WILLE(i.e. "nation"). The solution is I (i.e. "first person", as in I am (first person); you are (second person); they are (third person)) followed by RAN (i.e. "office wanted").

30. Junk books with divine parts in them (7)

Responder:OPPORTUNITIES(i.e. "scrap"). The solution is OT (i.e. "books", especially the Old Testament) with DD (i.e. "divine", DD is short for "Deo dedit", which is Latin for "God given" - chalk one into my chambers) and MEN (i.e. "[chess]pieces") placed "inside", as follows: O(DD-MEN)T.

32. Conservative admitted to enjoying defeats (7)

Responder:Lick(i.e. "defeat"). The solution is C (a recognized abbreviation for "Conservative") "approved" to GOSTAR (i.e. "fond"), i.e.: LI(C)KING.

34. There was no film in the auditorium (4)

Responder:FOG(i.e. “movie”). "In the auditorium" indicates that the solution is a homophone of MISSED, i.e. "it didn't work".

35. Throw in the American President's Salon (5.5)

Responder:CHAIR(i.e. "garbage", as in a seat resting on horizontal bars). The solution is SEDAN (i.e. "sedan [car]") followed by CHAIR (i.e. "American President", the position rather than a specific person).

38. Two hits, one pushes liters back into kitchen bins (5.4)

Responder:DIE MAKERS(i.e. "kitchen vessel"). The solution is PUNCH and BLOW (i.e. "two hits"), the latter "pushing back" L (a recognized abbreviation for "liter") a few notches. While the track isn't very good, I enjoyed the pun behind it.

39. Excerpt from quoted biblical figure (6)

Responder:UNLOCK(i.e. “extract”). The solution is ELI (meaning "biblical figure") followed by CIT (meaning "quoted," specifically an accepted abbreviation for "citation").

40. Spy bugs used to catch the villain (6)

Responder:ZIKA(i.e. "error"). The solution is CIA (ie "spies") "capturing" CAD (ie "bad guy"), like so: CI(CAD)A.

43. Oscar, in trouble, starts sucking up the sauce (5)

Responder:AIOLI(e.g. “Sauce” - a mayonnaise with garlic and also quite good). The solution is O (i.e. "Oscar" in the phonetic alphabet) placed "in" AIL (i.e. "problems") and followed by I (i.e. "Starting Drinking", i.e. the first letter of "Drunken"), like this: AI (O) L-I.

45. Understood pottery piece is reserved (8)

Responder:SILENT(i.e. “booked”). The solution is TACIT (ie "understood") followed by URN (ie "piece of sound").

47. Constant desire to be named (4-4)

Responder:LONG TERM(i.e. "permanent"). The solution is LONG (meaning "want to be") and TERM (meaning "proper noun").

49. Manner of speaking by someone who still defends a goal that is theoretically unusually realistic (11:11)

Responder:dialectic materialism, which is "Karl Marx's view of history as a conflict between two opposing forces, thesis and antithesis, resolved through the formation of a new force, synthesis". Isn't philosophy fun, kids? Put aside how overly simplistic one way of looking at things can be and get back on track: "theory". The solution is DIALECT (i.e. "language type") followed by I (roman numeral "one") and CALM (i.e. "still") surrounding or "defending" an anagram (indicated by "unique") of REALIST AIM as follows: DIALECTIC MATERIALISM.

52. Lead Expert's guess on the wrong answer was totally rejected (7)

Responder:PIANIST(i.e. “Key Expert”). The solution is TIP (i.e. "hint") placed "above" SIN (i.e. "wrong") and A (an accepted abbreviation for "answer"). The entire batch is then reset (denoted by "rejected"), as follows: PI(A-NIS)T.

53. Move to Fair Isle, repair some kind of gate with even more reason (1.8)

Responder:a stronger(Latin for "even more reason"). Solution is an anagram (denoted by "moving") of TO FAIR and I (a recognized abbreviation of "island"), arranged around OR (i.e. "gate type" used in electronics), as follows: AFORTI(OR )i. I knew from (1:8) that this would be a Latin phrase, but finding that "a posteriori" was too long I had to rummage through my closets until I found a similar phrase. Probably the toughest track in the starting field.

54. Save every other cup in Djibouti (5)

Responder:IDIOT(i.e. "cup"). "Save every second" indicates that the solution is hidden in all other letters of INDJEUBÖOfTEU. Another clue that doesn't scan very well but I enjoyed the pun on it.

55. Shyster, who gives you a hand on horseback (7:6)

Responder:BIKE SALESMAN(i.e. "Shyster"). The solution is WHEELER (i.e. "horse", specifically the one closest to the wheels of the vehicle pulling it; aka wheelhorse) and DEALER (i.e. "the one who deals you a hand [of cards]") .

56. Drink with students, repeat dark experiences (9)

Responder:SUNDOWNER(i.e. "drink", specifically someone drunk at sunset. I don't need that excuse.) The solution is NUS (i.e. "students", specifically the National Union of Students) reversed (indicated by "go over" ) and followed from DOWNER (i.e. “dark experience”), something like this: SUN-DOWNER.

tracks down

1. Swim in the noise in a warm bathing suit (9)

Responder:DIPHTHONGwhich,as repeated in the 1373 puzzle a few weeks ago, is a two-vowel “sound” pronounced as one syllable. The solution is DIP (meaning "swim"), followed by H (an accepted abbreviation for "hot") and THONG (meaning "bathing suit").

2. Those who engage reverse gear when the bike is going in circles (6.5)

Responder:FIRING SQUAD(i.e. "those who occur"). The solution is "reverse" IF, then RINGS (ie "circles") "followed" by QUAD (ie "bike"), like this: FI-RINGS-QUAD.

3. Bill wears a woman's skirt (5)

Responder:AVOID(i.e. “get out”). The solution is AD (an accepted abbreviation of AD, i.e. "account"), "wearing" EVE (i.e. "woman" - ignore the misleading possessive S), like this: EV(AD)E.

4. The frantic rite includes the figure of bad omen (8)

Responder:THIRTEEN(i.e. "bad omen character" - one I'm somewhat familiar with, um). The solution is an anagram (denoted by "raging") of RITE placed in THEN (ie "this"), like so: TH(IRTE)EN.

5. Freight elevator of a basket weaver? (6)

Responder:BAST(i.e. "basket maker" as in ribbon-like fibers obtained from the raffia palm). Here's one where the lifter misses me, so watch out. RAF may be “Service”, like Royal Air Force, but the rest leaves me indifferent. Next!

6. Being fake is silly today (10)

Responder:INFIDELITY(i.e. "to be wrong"). "Dashed" indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of SILLY TODAY.

7. Something to indicate that the Kiss title track is on (5-7)

Responder:CROSS-COUNTRY(i.e. "run"). The solution is CROSS (i.e. "something that indicates kiss" - ignore misleading capitalization), followed by COUNT (i.e. "title") and RY (i.e. "track", as in a recognized abbreviation for "railway").

8. White part of the gazelle, slightly up (7)

Responder:TAIL, this is a German “white wine”. "Part of" indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, while "upward" indicates the solution is reversed, which is a downward-facing clue, like this one: GAZ(ELLE SOM)EWHAT. I got one through puns, to be honest.

9. Unassuming trash has no lemonade (3-11)

Responder:ONE DIMENSIONAL(i.e. "immature"). "Trash" stands for anagram. Solution is an anagram of IS IN NO LIMONADE.

10. How Some Rulers Take a Risk (7)

Responder:ENDANGER(i.e. “Risk”). The answer is IMPERIAL (i.e. "like some rulers") with the A "dismiss".

11. Counterparty Right to Block Badly Timed Popular Music (11)

Responder:NOT SUITABLE(i.e. "incomplete"). The solution is OPPO (i.e. "counterpart", as in an informal abbreviation for someone in the opposition) and R (a recognized abbreviation for "permission") "blocks" IN (i.e. "popular") and TUNE, something like this: IN- (OPPO-R)-TUNE. The opposite mirror of this clue playfully appeared in the previous puzzlea few days earlier.

12. High-Note im College (4)

Responder:MONITORING(i.e. "mark"). The solution is ETON (i.e. "College") reversed (indicated by "raised" - this is a hint down).

17. Lead the Europeans across the field (8)

Responder:POLAR STAR(i.e. a director or "guide", also known as a Polaris or North Star). The solution is POLES (i.e. “Europeans”) placed “above” TAR (i.e. “playing field”). My chambers had it as two words. The seventh seal has hardly been broken, I know, but there it is.

19. Retailer, quiet on bad line, has to restock (9)

Responder:TRACKING(i.e. "back in stock"). The solution is REP (i.e. “retailer”, specifically a recognized abbreviation for a “[corporate] representative” –a weak one, that, so I may be wrong) and SH (i.e. "quiet") placed "above" an anagram (denoted by "bad") of LINE, like so: REP-(LENI)-SH.

22. Hinterlassene Beschwerde eines Familienmitglieds im Zusammenhang mit Aggression (5.3)

Responder:BIG EVIL, a French term for a violently convulsive form of epilepsy (i.e. "discomfort with seizures"). The solution is GRANDMA (i.e. "family member") followed by L (an accepted abbreviation for "left").

25. Sea swimmer clothes (8)

Responder:UNDERWEAR(i.e. "Clothes"). The solution is LING (a species of fish, i.e. "swimmers"; I did a Google image search - not a spotter) followed by ERIE (one of the five great "lakes" in the US).

26. Accusation by Punjabi group could end up in trouble (9)

Responder:TO SUE(i.e. "blame"). The solution is INDIC, which is the Indic branch of the Indo-European languages ​​(i.e. "[parent] group of Punjabi"), followed by TIN (i.e. "may") and G (i.e. "end in obstacle", i.e. , the last letter of "hook"), something like this: INDIC-TIN-G.

27. A predictive evolution of giant root crops (14)

Responder:FORECAST(i.e. "one who predicts"). "Evolution" displays anagram. Solution is an anagram of GIANT ROOT CROPS.

28. Look around the theater, a place for action (4:4)

Responder:SCREENING(i.e. "act"). The solution is LO (i.e. "look", as in "lo and behold") inverted (denoted by "around") and "in" REP (i.e. "theatre" - "rep" is an accepted abbreviation for a repertory theater, the " has a repertoire of plays and a permanent supply or company of actors', it says here) and followed by PAY (ie 'place'), thus: R(OL)EP-LAY. Damn, this took some time to figure out.

31. Which plant extract must an art collector have? (9.3)

Responder:VOLATILE OIL. Solution satisfies "Plant Extract" and enigmatic "What Art Collectors Must Have". I long thought it was "sunflower oil" before finally accepting that it wasn't supposed to be. I'm sorry Vincent

33. Permanent study work for a partner (11)

Responder:CONSOLIDATE(i.e. "fix"). Another one where the lifter misses me, so watch out. I understand that CON is an archaic word for "study" and I DATE could be "[roman numeral] one" and "partner," but that's about it. Next clue, please.

36. A rebel here in France hired by the painter's servant (11)

Responder:ACADEMIC(i.e. "painter", e.g. a Royal Academician, often abbreviated to RA by setters for use in their solutions). Solution is A followed by Jack CADE (who led a rebellion against Henry VI a few years ago, i.e. "rebel") and ICI (i.e. "here in France" - the French for "here" is "ici") "engaged by " MAN (i.e. "servant"), i.e.: A-CADE-M(ICI)AN.

37. Most Confused with Gauge (10)

Responder:MICROMETER(i.e. "meters"). "Confused" indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of MORE and METRIC.

41. Old Lady Overwhelmed by Change, Old Fashioned (4.5)

Responder:ALMA MATER(i.e. "old school"). The solution is MAMA (ie "old lady") "overwhelmed by" ALTER (ie "change"), like this: AL(MAMA)TER.

42. Force Cicero to squirm (8)

Responder:OBLIGATION(i.e. "strength"). Solution is an anagram (indicated by "to windle") of CICERO followed by ON (ie "about"), thus: COERCI-ON.

44. I don't like the bard's current lines (3,4)

Responder:EVIL WILL(i.e. "don't like"). The solution is I (used in physics to represent an electrical "current"), then L and L (accepted abbreviations for "lines"), followed by WILL (i.e. "bard", specifically William Shakespeare).

46. ​​Bends remain broken here by Roman (7)

Responder:CHICANA(i.e. "wrinkles"). The solution is CANE (i.e. "stock") "broken by" HIC (i.e. "Roman hier", Latin for "here" is "hic"), i.e.: C(HIC)ANE.

48. Use pieces of leather when climbing (6)

Responder:THE HIVE(i.e. “leather pieces”). The solution is SPORTS (i.e. "wears out"), which is then reversed (indicated by "on the way up", this is a downward track).

50. Foreign ally wonders if to continue? (5)

Responder:AMIGO, Spanish for "friend" (i.e. "foreign ally"). As for the second half of the track, it can be said that the ally asks "AM I GO?"

51. Kicked out of the front seat of school (4)

Responder:TO VOMIT(i.e. "cast out"). The solution is S (i.e. "vor der Schule", i.e. the first letter of "school") followed by PEW (i.e. "bench").

This week's puzzle had another slight increase in difficulty, but that might just be because it's taking me longer than usual to figure out the pun behind a bunch of clues. Anyway, this puzzle was one of the best. Below is my full grid as well as explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful.

As usual, before we start, some housework. If you have a relatively new Times Jumbo Cryptic puzzle that is missing some solutions then you can find mineJust for funuseful page. If you're a horror story enthusiast, you might find my current frenzy of reviewing Stephen Jones books interesting.Best New HorrorSeries you can find on minereviewsbook page.

Right-oh. With the show. See you in a few days when everything is fine when I get my hands on the Easter Monday puzzle.

LP

through alleys

1st doctor admitted to a hospital group with many others (3-6)

Responder:MOB HANDY(i.e. "with many others"). The solution is MO (i.e. "doctor", specifically a medical officer) followed by BANDED (i.e. "stuck into a group") placed "around" H (a recognized abbreviation for "hospital"), something like this: MO -B (H) UNDED.

6. Who is not a real scarecrow (3,2,5)

Responder:STRAW MAN. The solution satisfies "he who is not real" (perhaps more commonly referred to as "the scarecrow") and "the scarecrow".

12. Runner arrives at relay start in a hurry (7)

Responder:HARRIER(a cross-country "runner"). The solution is ARR (a recognized abbreviation for "arrive"), placed "in" HIE (i.e. "rod") and followed by R (i.e. "start of relay", i.e. the first letter of "relay"), like so: H(ARR)IE-R.

13th alumni meeting? there is something (9)

Responder:OBSESSION(i.e. "a thing", e.g. having something for someone). In the context of the track, an "alumni get-together" would be an OB SESSION, where OB is an accepted abbreviation for "old boy".

14. A page coming out of the directory (5)

Responder:RECTO, which is a printing term meaning the right-hand side of an open book. "Out of" indicates the solution is hidden in the lane, like this: DI(RECTO)RY. This solution recently appeared in1366 puzzles.

16. A time of silence gathering for a quick start (3.9)

Responder:ASH WEDNESDAY(i.e. "a quick start" since it is the first day of Lent). The solution is A, then SH (i.e. "quiet") and WEDNESDAY (i.e. a 24-hour "period").

17. Received two gifts but advance no further (3:7)

Responder:NOT RECEIVED(i.e. "no further advances"). The solution is GET (meaning "received") followed by NOW and HERE (meaning "two gifts").

19. Former police officers decide what to strap around their wrists? (5.9)

Responder:SUPPORT COMMITTEE(i.e. “former police officers”). The solution jokingly suggests that such a committee could also be responsible for the selection of wristwatches. I will continue to use my phone, thanks.

22. Very Popular Creep Experience (3.5)

Responder:GROSSES RAD(i.e. “fair experience”). The solution is BIG (meaning "very popular"), followed by W (a recognized abbreviation for "com") and HEEL (meaning "creep").

24. Scottish party dropout return dress? (6)

Responder:Schottenkaro. The solution is RAT (i.e. "defect") followed by NAT (i.e. "of the Scottish Party", as in a recognized abbreviation for "nationalist"), all in reverse (indicated by "returning"), like so: TARTAN. In the context of the runway, the Scottish defector's dress might as well have been checked.

25. Politician tending to arouse lusty thoughts, by appointment (10)

Responder:AGREED(i.e. “by appointment”). The answer is CON (meaning "political," specifically a recognized abbreviation for "conservative") followed by SENSUAL (meaning "tends to arouse lustful thoughts").

26. Violinists, shall we say, during and at the end of the concert? (5)

Responder:ARBOR. The solution satisfies "the fiddler about mid-performance" as someone playing his instrument with a bow, and "the fiddler at about the end of performance" as someone bowing at the end of his performance. A pleasantly elegant track.

29. Repeat something on drums (4)

Responder:ROLL. The solution satisfies "back and forth" and "something on the drums" like a drum roll.

30. Hard defeat the man as he is almost untouchable (8)

Responder:MASSACRE(i.e. "serious defeat"). The solution is M (a recognized abbreviation for "male") followed by AS (i.e. "since") and SACRED (i.e. "untouchable") with the last letter removed (indicated by "all but"), like so: M-AS -SACORUM.

32. Biography is also an art form (5.4)

Responder:tote Nature(i.e. “art form”). The solution is STILL (i.e. “pair”) followed by LIFE (i.e. “biography”).

34. This term tires me strangely (9)

Responder:QUARTER(i.e. three months or an academic “period”). The solution is TR (i.e. "strange term", i.e. the odd letters of TERM) followed by an anagram (denoted by “fora”) of PNEUS ME, like this: TR-IMESTER.

35. Mismatched Waistband at Center Back (8)

Responder:WE FOG(i.e. "inappropriate"). The solution is MIST (eg a mar "bund") followed by DEMI (ie "half") inverted (indicated by "back"), thus: MIST-IMED.

36. Manage to drop the daughter in the swamp (4)

Responder:FENS(i.e. "swamp"). The solution is FENDS (also "manages") with the D (a recognized abbreviation for "daughter") "fell".

39. Break, say, to open the container (5)

Responder:BEGIN(i.e. "stay broken"). The solution is EG (i.e. eg or "say") "open" BIN (i.e. "container"), like so: B(EG)IN.

40. Plant second holy book (good!) in the church (4:6)

Responder:MOCK BY LARANJA(i.e. "plant"). The solution is MO (short for moment, i.e. a "second") with KORAN (i.e. "holy book") and G (an accepted abbreviation for "good") placed "in" CE (ditto "church", specifically the church of England), like this: MO-C(CORAN-G)E.

42. Probably happy with someone who doesn't speak up (6)

Responder:DID NOT SAID(i.e. "omitted from speech"). The solution is UNSAD (ie "probably happy") placed "above" I (Roman numeral "one"), like so: UNSA(I)D.

44. In search of it Marcel stayed behind (4,4)

Responder:LOST TIME. The solution satisfies both "left behind" and "looking for him, Marcel," as in Marcel Proust's 4,000+ page novelIn Search of Lost Time. I can't say I've read it, but I've read Stephen KingTo the Black Tower, which also weighs over 4000 pages. Does that count?

46. ​​Diseases later ravaged the archipelago (6:8)

Responder:Lesser Antilles(i.e. "archipelago"). "Devastated" displays anagram. Solution is an anagram of DISEASES AFTER.

48. Swear words all the time (10)

Responder:FOR ALL(so always"). The solution also fulfills "summarily discarded in the speech", i.e. a homophone of "thrown away".

49. Current state of the national myth? (3,2,3,4)

Responder:LIE OF THE EARTH. The solution satisfies the "current situation" and, mysteriously, "the national myth" - a myth is another word for a lie.

53. Meaning of Floating (5)

Responder:DERIVE. The solution fulfills "sense" and "floating".

54. Relying primarily on such driving in a British vehicle (5-4)

Responder:RIGHT HAND. The solution meets "largely reliable", as in a right arm, and "a [proper] steering in a British vehicle".

55. Nowadays one might get bored and engage in tough fights (7)

Responder:HIT, which is a small tool used to poke holes in wood to make driving nails or screws easier (i.e. "you could be boring"). The solution AD (i.e. “today”, as in Anno Domini) “entered” “in” BRAWL (i.e. “hard fight”), i.e.: BR(AD)AWL.

56. "Where's the college porter?" Waitress said (4.6)

Responder:BEER CELLAR. The solution satisfies "waitress said", which is a homophone of "beer seller". In the context of the track would be a beer cellar where porter - a type of beer - is kept.No big one, this one. I think "college" is a red herring to steer solvers away from the desired meaning of "gatekeeper", but I could be wrong.

57. Selected lifter - check regularly for shortness (9)

Responder:TERSENESSIDADE(i.e. "brevity"). "Regularly" indicates that the solution can be found in the clue at regular intervals, in this case the last three letters of the first three words in the clue: SETTERBUTSenIN THISESS.

tracks down

1. Slowly transform the school group walking through the hotel (5)

Responder:MORPH(i.e. "transform slowly"). The solution is PROM (meaning "school party") reversed (denoted by "pass over") and followed by H ("hotel" in the phonetic alphabet), like so: MORP-H.

2. Often veiled literature lock (10)

Responder:HEAD OF THE BRIDE. The solution satisfies the "literary lock", specifically by Evelyn WaughBridal head relaunched, and something that is "often veiled", as in a BRIDEHEAD.

3. A monarch who abandons modern art dismissed as futile (2:6)

Responder:RANDOMLY(i.e. "without purpose"). Solution is an anagram (indicated by "rejected") of MODERN ART once HE (i.e. "a monarch", specifically Elizabeth Regina) has been removed (i.e. "abandoned").

4. Recuse Duke Lawrence (5)

Responder:SLAG(i.e., "reject," like trash). The solution is D (a recognized abbreviation for "Duke") followed by John Hume ROSS, a phony name used by Thomas Edward "Lawrence", popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia. Well, that's my opinion.

5th philosopher who takes some kind of leadership, with children around (9)

Answer: ReneeDESCARTES(i.e. "philosopher"). The solution is SCART (meaning "some kind of cable" - ask your parents, kids) with SEED (meaning "kids") placed upside down and around it (denoted by "round" and "about"), like this: EN(SCART ) ES .

6. The folder is inserted by the doctor (4)

Responder:MISSION(i.e. a Japanese "paste" made from soybeans). The solution is "entered" into the MO (ie "doctor", specifically a medical officer) as follows: M(IS)O.

7. Reasonable correction, deteriorated after November (6)

Responder:NAILED(i.e. "correctly fixed"). The solution is AILED (meaning "have deteriorated"), written "after" N ("November" in the phonetic alphabet), something like this: N-AILED.

8. Minister of Paper Money initially under restrictions (9.5)

Responder:FINANCIAL TIMES(i.e. “paper”). The solution is FINANCIAL (i.e. "Money"), followed by M (i.e. "Minister initial", i.e. the first letter of "Minister"), "covered by" TIES (i.e. "Restrictions"), so: FINANCIAL-TI(M )ES .

9. Curveball thrown, maybe very upset (5,1,6)

Responder:PLAY A WELL. The solution satisfies "Curveball maybe delivered" and "really pissed off". The past tense of the first suggests that it should be THROW rather than THROW.

10. Clubs are growing together on a Mediterranean island (7)

Responder:ACRETAR(i.e. “grow together”). The solution is A and CRETE (ie "Med Island") arranged around C (a recognized abbreviation for "clubs" used in card games) as follows: A-(C)-CRETE.

11. Wheat chewed and eaten by older birds (10)

Responder:CAGARRA(i.e. "bird" - did a google image search: cool wings, otherwise somewhat arbitrary). The solution is SR (a recognized abbreviation for "senior"), "eating" an anagram (indicated by "chewed") of WHEATEAR, like this: S(HEARWATE)R. Another well done track.

15. Excess lavender and rosemary at the beginning on the rounded edge (9)

Responder:EXCESS(i.e. "exaggerated"). The solution is L, A and R (i.e. "lavender and rosemary in the beginning", i.e. the first letters of "lavender", "e" and "rosemary"), placed in O (i.e. "round") and VERGE (i.e. "edge "), something like this: O-VER(L-A-R)GE.

18. You don't have to cover up girls so much because you're skinny (8)

Responder:THINNESS(i.e. "be thin"). The solution is LESS (i.e. "not so much"), "covered" ANNE (i.e. "girl"), like this: LE(ANNE)SS.

20. Sensational concern for running water (9)

Responder:EXCITING(i.e. “sensational”). The solution is THING (i.e. "concern," like having a crush on someone) placed "above" RILL, which is a very small stream (i.e., "running water").

21. Mad Drummer's Transport (10)

Responder:MOONSTRUCK(i.e. "crazy"). The answer is Keith MOON (i.e. the "drummer" in The Who) with a possessive S followed by TRUCK (i.e. "means of transport").

23. Still leg, shot - from him? (10)

Responder:gunslinger. "Shot" indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of PPFEGEGEIN. In the context of the track, someone could very well have been shot by a gunman.

27. What everyone minimally supports: Government (9)

Responder:WHITEHALL(i.e. “Government”). The solution is that EH (i.e. "what", as in "eh?") and ALL (i.e. "all") is placed under or "supporting" WHIT (i.e. "the smallest part") - as this is a notch lower – like this: WHIT-EH-ALL. One of those clues where the pun took a lot longer to figure out than the solution itself. I prefer oddly.

28. No atmosphere? I need to change Double Act (9.5)

Responder:PANTOMINE HORSE(i.e. "double action"). "Must change" means anagram. Solution is an anagram of NO ATMOSPHERE IM.

31. Made fertilizer when the temperature fell into the doldrums (8)

Responder:COMPOSED(i.e. "quiet"). The solution is COMPOST (ie "fertilizer made") with the T (an accepted abbreviation for "temperature") removed or "discarded".

33. Add a brunette airbrushed torso (6.6)

Responder:PEANUT BUTTER(i.e. "insert"). The solution is an anagram (indicated by "retouched") of UP A BRUNETTE and T (i.e. "Top of Torso", i.e. the first letter of "Torso").

34. Don't touch your back, the daughter ordered (9)

Responder:PLANKS(i.e. "ordained"). The solution is TABU, an alternate spelling of tabu (meaning "don't touch"), followed by LATE (meaning "behind") and D (an accepted abbreviation for "daughter").

37. Inch near the blue delta, not across the bay? (4-6)

Responder:LATERAL CELL(i.e. "[ride] not across the bay [horse]"). The solution is SIDLE (i.e. for "inch") placed "rounded" E (i.e. "near the", i.e. the last letter of "o"), SAD (i.e. "blue") and D ("delta" in the phonetic alphabet) . ), something like this: SID(E-SAD-D)LE.

38. At home box with pine inlays, lid missing - rotary ash (10)

Responder:BURN(i.e., "turn to ashes"). The solution is IN (i.e. "at home") followed by CRATE (i.e. "box") which has been "encrusted" with INE (i.e. "pine tree without the top", i.e. the word "pine tree") without the initial ), something like this: IN-C(INE)TAXA.

41. Stalin as a malicious aggressor (9)

Responder:HOUSEBREAKER(i.e. "aggressor"). "Malicious" indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of STALIN AS A.

43. Not mentally healthy to walk the horse? (8th)

Responder:UNSTABLE. The solution fulfills "not sane" and mysteriously "take the horse".

45. Set of ceremonial plates (7)

Responder:SERVICE. Solution fulfills "Judgment" and "Ceremony".

47. Type of infection in children (6)

Responder:MUSHROOM. The solution satisfies "Type of infection" and "Fun Girl", so a FUN GAL.

50. Strange supports the Communist Party (5)

Responder:MORE UNUSUAL(that's weird"). The solution is RED (i.e. "Communist") and DO (i.e. "Party" - ignore the misleading capitalization) and the whole thing in reverse (indicated by "Support") as follows: OD-DER.

51. The President usually received a text (5)

Answer: JohnAdams, second "President" of the United States of America. The solution is AD (i.e. "generally received", i.e. the word "had" as said by someone dropping his pain), then A and MS (i.e. "text", specifically an accepted abbreviation of "manuscript") ). ”), like this: AD-A-MS. Another where the pun took significantly longer to figure out than the solution.

52. Hollywood character maybe half naked (4)

Responder:STERN(e.g. "Hollywood character maybe" - may refer to "stars" such as a celebrity or the stars that adorn the sidewalk on Hollywood Boulevard). The solution is the first half of STARKERS (ie "half-naked").

(If you want to take a look at the stories set in the first three volumes ofBest New Horror, jump to minereviewspage with links.)

Best New Horroris continued in a fourth volume containing twenty-four of the best horror short films released in 1992. Well, twentyishcould be a more accurate description. Not for the first time, publishers have stuffed the book with some not terribly bad hypocrites, especially in the second half. Luckily, the quality of these suitors helps elevate the book into 4/5 territory.

As for the stories, let's take a look.

The Artist Suicide – Scott Edelman(3/5- A man reluctantly tells the reader about his horrific experience of being taken away from school by a stranger when he was just six years old. He would love to end the story there, but of course you, the reader, want to know more. So he goes on: He describes the murderous efforts he made to survive the stranger's clutches; about the tragedy that left him alone outside the school gates in the first place; and not long after, coming to terms with his father's appalling abuse of his older sister, Kate. The more this is revealed, the more bitter and hostile the narrator feels about it. How dare you know more! But you can't help it, can you? You just won't let it stop unless... I admire what Edelman was trying to do here by examining how characters in a horror story would feel about writing down the worst moments of their lives for other people's entertainment Fourth wall permeability can present an opportunity for a small return. In Edelman's introduction he describes the uneasiness that the story would make in his audience if he read it, and I can wholeheartedly believe that. This is a read-aloud play. On paper, however, his power is diminished. In my case, it allowed me to address the weaknesses of the plot. Instead of feeling ashamed of wanting to know more about the story or trembling with fear of what the narrator might have in store for me, I spent the last half thinking, "Wow, you were an unexpectedly strong, devilish one sneaky six year old. old. boy, isn't it?")

Dancing on the dream blade - Roberta Lannes(3/5- The evil that men do is translated into this sexually charged story of a jury member, Patty, during a kidnapping, rape and murder trial. In the dock is Garrick, an impossibly handsome man who claims to have been tricked by a former friend. One night, as the trial nears its climax, Patty dreams of being taken handcuffed, bruised, and bloodied to an immaculate hotel room, where she is chained to a bathtub by her ex-husband, Michael. There she is abused by her ex while she longs for the smallest piece of their love. When Patty finally wakes up, she is incredibly uncomfortable with the dream, as Michael has never been violent during their marriage. Patty's stomach clenches as the trial moves to an eerily familiar hotel room where one of the victims is being held captive. It seems that Patty is living the horrible final days of Garrick's victims in her dreams, and worse yet, Garrick knows it. That was good and way better thanRenegades in jeans'Lannes' controversial entry intoBest New Horror 2. Lannes incorporates some vivid and terribly effective imagery into its story, but the ending felt a little overdone and didn't work the more I thought about it.)

The deceased - Clive Barker(5/5- A short and sweet story where Hermione, a recently deceased spirit, tries one last time to bond with her son. With the advice of a seasoned old ghost named Rice, the two devise a plan to visit the boy while he's trick-or-treating. Barker works true magic in this story. There can be no other explanation. In just a few pages, he masterfully creates two wonderful characters, Hermione and Rice in particular, and instills a winning chemistry between them from the start. At the end -Whyfrom the end - I wanted to know a lot more about her. An excellent read.)

How to Get Around in New York - Poppy Z. Brite(4/5– Steve e Ghost (machen Romantik de BriteLost souls) are scheduled to play a show in New York's East Village. It's four in the morning and they step out of a Greyhound and enter a spooky Port Authority bus depot. It's not long before they get lost in a building seemingly designed to confuse outsiders, and soon they fall prey to a resident army of mindless tramps. This is how a typically unpleasant New York morning begins. I really enjoyed this story even though I haven't read it.Lost souls. Brite maintains a light, loving touch throughout much of the story, wrapping a rich human menagerie around Steve and Ghost as they experience much of the weirdness that New York has to offer.)

You take - John Brunner(4/5- Ann and her husband Carlo are called to Bolsevieto, a small rural Italian village, to inspect a nearby house and associated land, both bequeathed to Ann by her late aunt. They are not impressed with what they find. They are anxious to get out of the village and sell the place as soon as possible, until Ann discovers some unusual tomb-like structures occupying their land. They should have listened to their instincts. This story has a great sense of place, aided in no small part by Brunner's mastery of all things Italian. Horror fans will likely find the bones of this story in several others they read, but overall this is a good stand-in for the Dumped On A Remote Greek Island story in the previous three books.)

Substitutions - Lisa Tuttle(4/5- Stuart is horrified to see a wingless bat-like creature shuffling pitifully through the trash on the sidewalk. He instinctively tramples it to death in disgust, but soon finds another crawling over the curb. It's clear that there are more terrifying creatures out there. Tensions rise when his wife Jenny brings home one of the creatures as a pet, apparently her slave. This story did a good job of making my skin crawl, but it was offset somewhat by Stuart being a complete and utterly wet blanket. Throughout the story, he doesn't exactly tell anyone about his situation, which takes some effort to swallow.)

Under the Plunger - Graham Joyce(4/5- A bunch of kids play under a neighborhood street lamp, ignoring the warning signs and despite the discarded bricks and five-foot nettles growing there. The Big School is fast approaching for all of them, bringing with it the end of childhood innocence and the onset of puberty, and it seems the pestle is sensitive to the changes taking place below. There's something about Joyce's style that always draws me, maybe a raw honesty. I lovedthe year of the ladybug(also known asThe man in the bright blue suitin the US), whose review you can readHere, and I really liked that.)

O Glamour – Thomas Ligotti(3/5– A man is drawn to a cinema one evening while walking through an unfamiliar part of town. As a man who enjoys going to cinemas in the middle of the night, this seems like an accidental find. The front of the theater is dilapidated and boarded up, but a dimly lit sign announces tonight's attraction: 'The Glamour'. When his attention is drawn to an alternate side entrance to the building down a dark alley, the man can't resist taking a look. This story has appeared in quite a few "Best of..." anthologies over the years, but sadly, even after re-reading, a little off the mark for me. Ligotti's lush writing is certainly there, but at points it felt like he was trying too hard. His use of repetition, often a successful and hypnotic trait of his other work, feels a little over the top here, as does a visceral vibe that he doesn't so much hoard as heaps on the reader as our man enters the cinema. But that could just be me.)

Under the Ice - John Gordon (4/5- Rupert invites his schoolmate David to go skating on the frozen swamps near his parents' farm. David is a little suspicious of the boy's motives. It's like Rupert has an answer to all of David's excuses for not going. Eventually, David gives in and they are caught by Rupert's father. David soon learns that Rupert's parents weren't expecting company, making him even more uneasy. He feels a great silent tragedy looming over the family: conversations with Rupert's father are virtually non-existent, while Rupert's mother is a shadow of his former lively self. To David's relief, Rupert drags him away from the house and onto the ice. As daylight fades quickly, the boy is anxious to show David something outside; something under the ice. Asyou takeSlightly earlier in the book, this story will feel familiar to seasoned horror fans, but it doesn't make it any less readable. It's worth checking out.)

And some are missing - Joel Lane(4/5– David is adjusting to his own life after splitting from longtime boyfriend Alan. A chance intervention outside of his new premises introduces David to the anti-folk twilight, and they're not exactly friendly. I mentioned in my review ofBester neuer Horror 3, which contained the story of LanePower failure, as I often have to read their stories a few times before I have any idea what's really going on. This was one of those stories, largely because of one last sentence that made me reevaluate everything I had just read. On re-reading, I'm pretty sure it was put there for that very purpose, but your reading may differ. It's definitely worth reading.)

The Little Greens – Les Daniels (3/5- An American writer takes time out from a congress to explore a nearby London cemetery, where he is surprised by two realistic statues: one of a little girl, the other of a little boy. Both are completely covered in unusual green lichen, a color that begins to haunt him when he returns home. In the editors' introduction, they explain how this story was inspired by the author's attendance at a recent World Fantasy Convention held in London. I wish they hadn't mentioned it to be honest because it was.the little green onesless a horror story and more a six-page lament about the shitty time he spent there. That was good reading, to be fair, but how it got nominated for a World Fantasy Award at the time is a mystery.)

Spiegelmann – Steve Rasnic Tem(3/5“Jeff is quite literally a man approaching old age. Regularly checking his appearance in the mirror for new signs of his inevitable decrepitude, he can't help himself. His marriage to Liz was a loveless affair, but Jeff is determined not to let the same thing happen to his 11-year-old daughter, Susan. To help him feel better about the white hairs sticking out of his ears, he even decides it would be a good idea to take his daughter on a long drive to Providence, where there is a college reunion . There he can show Susan to all his old friends. Wouldn't that be funny? (...?) The longer the journey drags on and the closer they get to Providence, the more Susan seems to distance himself from him. The Steve Rasnic Tem Weird-O-Meter™ gives this story a respectable "Pretty Strange" rating. Unfortunately, it's not one of their best. It's not a lack of effort, but my Lovecraftian maxim seems to apply once again: when an author meddles in the world of Lovecraft, they often produce inferior work. In fact, we note in the introduction to this story that SRT struggled to sell it for publication precisely because of its Lovecraftian approach, eventually finding help in a dedicated Lovecraftian press.)

Mottenmusik – Sarah Ash(4/5- Astar Taziel is a doctor who witnesses the devastating effects of Boskh - a substance made from the dust of a moth's wings. Boskh has wonderful medicinal qualities when taken in moderation, but beyond that lies addiction. To Taziel's growing horror, it soon becomes clear that Boskh has a far more serious payload than mere addiction. This is a fantasy yarn, traveler, so get ready for a tale of a hundred and one fake names. Stick with this one, though, because there's a satisfying seam of horror running through it.)

Did they make you trade? – Karl Edward Wagner(5/5- Another Wagner winner sees Ryan Chase, a successful portrait painter, finding inspiration over a few beers al fresco on a lovely sunny London afternoon. A homeless man approaches Chase's table and asks for a few coins for a meal. Chase sees something in the man that could inspire future work, so he buys him a round of drinks to get to know him a little better. To his surprise, Chase discovers that the Forsaken was once a punk hero of his: the mighty Nemo Skagg of the seminal punk band Needle, a man who once had the world at his feet but is now on top. What could have happened to Skagg to end up in this state? About an amazing amount of alcohol, we'll find out in a moment. This was nominated for a Stoker award at the time, but even after re-reading it I can't see the horror here. Urban fantasy, absolutely. horror, no. Not that it matters because whatever the genre, this story is a treat of gold from start to finish. Simply put, Nemo Skagg is a magnificent creation. In Skagg, Wagner perfectly captures an angry punk spark and a savage intelligence that can never be completely snuffed out by alcohol, but in the end it's Skagg's humanity that shines through. The final reveal of what happened to the rest of Skagg's money is bittersweet and devastating. I cannot claim to have read all of Wagner's works, but I would be surprised if he wrote much better. A re-read shows that the score has increased from 4/5 to 5/5.)

Night Shift Sister - Nicholas Royle(4/5- Carl owns a record store with a massive record collection, has an even bigger crush on Siouxsie Sioux, and has a photocopied map of a place he can't find. The latter fascinates him. There are no street names to speak of and none of the landmarks are labeled, so where could the map have come from? Wait, there's a Siouxsie Sioux lookalike over there. Maybe she knows something. Yes, the logic leaps in this story take some time to work out, but to be fair, this is the best Royle story I've readBest New Horrorto this day and won a British Fantasy Award back then. It was also incredibly fun to tell all the spiral motifs that Royle wove into the story.)

The Dead - Simon Ings & M. John Harrison(2/5– Echoes of the early New Wave movement are heard in a story in which a woman in her childhood and adolescence discovers an unwanted and uncomfortable rebirth role that she must fulfil. My original review of this story was a single word "no" - not entirely helpful, but it summed up my thoughts at the time. Nothing in the story compares to the fear factor of two guys, however respected, hunched over their respective keyboards writing this particular literary gem:

Licking your finger and getting wet between your legs helps.

Riiiiiiiight thanks guys. The play improves on the second reading, but not enough to improve its score. If you're a fan of off-left-field fiction, you might be better entertained.The deadif I. That is, when this story was republishedintermediate zoneMagazine in January 1993 - a publication unfamiliar with weird fiction - went unnoticed in its annual readership poll. Next story please!)

Norman Wisdom and the Angel of Death - Christopher Fowler(4/5- Stanley is a desperately boring man who is tasked with brightening the days of these patients at his local hospital who are unable to visit family or friends. And what better way to entertain the lonely sick than a meticulous review of every Norman Wisdom film, line by line, scene by scene? Just don't stop everything you're doing or it could be your end! When budget cuts result in a shortage of beds at the hospital, Stanley is asked to take in Saskia, a wheelchair patient. They hit it off right away, and Stanley found Saskia to be a tonic for his own loneliness. To top it off, she's a fan of Nosso Norman. How happy is that! Will Stanley change his life? What do you think? In Stanley, Fowler deftly creates a compelling, hyper-real villain in an entertaining story that's just a gimmick behind perfection.)

Red Reign – Kim Newman(5/5– This is the novel that inspired Newmanin the year of Draculaset of books and it's a stopper. I avoided thatin the year of DraculaSeries so far because "Vampire, meh..." but maybe I need to reconsider all that. This is Victorian London, but not as we know it. Dracula is the prince regent, vampirism is rampant across the land, and a certain Dr. Seward secretly takes on the task of taking down the vampire ladies of the night. The murders affect wards (humans) and newborns (vampires). Something must be done. Centenarian vampire Genevieve Dieudonné and the Diogenes Club's Charles Beauregard must work together to eradicate the so-called "Jack the Ripper." This brilliant story is worth the price of admission alone.)

Aviator—Peter Atkins(3/5– Jonathan Dyson is a nervous pilot. He's fine in the air, but take off? Forget it. To help him on his final journey, he grabs a pre-flight Valium, settles into his seat, and finds himself in a vivid dream world. In it he meets the title aviator, who takes him over increasingly strange lands and seas in her open biplane. While he keeps falling unconscious, Jonathan is surprised to find that he is able to pick up his dream right where he left off. That was fine, with a few little touches here and there, mostly when Jonathan first enters the dream world, but let's face it - the moment you saw he was a nervous flier, you probably guessed it how the story ended. )

Snodgrass – Ian R. MacLeod(4/5- A clever alternative history that follows John Lennon as he wanders around Birmingham thirty years after he left the Beatles. Her entire selfish existence was spent living from one moment to the next. His friends and acquaintances are little more than a means to an end, which is what “Dr. Winston O'Boogie," usually gets pissed off and high. Now, with Lennon in his fifties, the Beatles are back in town and Macca would like to see the good doctor again. I liked it a lot more1/72 scale, MacLeod's earlier history inBest New Horror 2. His Lennon is a wonderfully chatty character: gruff and witty, and unmistakably human despite his many, many flaws. This is certainly an engrossing and entertaining read, but it has made its way into a horror anthology on the thinnest of premises.)

Shark Day - Kate Wilhelm(3/5- Gary and Veronica go on vacation to Grand Bahama, stopping at Bill and Shar's luxury home along the way. Your hosts are preparing a party that evening, to which Gary and Veronica are cordially invited. Prom is of course selfish. Gary is an investment advisor and knows it won't be long before Bill's wealthy businessmen find out and contact him. Meanwhile, Veronica is a woman on the brink of insanity. After an incident that left her workplace on fire, she struggles to control herself with tranquilizers. Gary pays little attention to them these days. He plays time before they can part. Gary is much more eager to get back together with Shar Uglies. The morning after the party, events take a metaphorically gruesome turn. That was fine, but as you might have guessed, the lack of likable characters made it difficult to care what was going on with anyone.)

Anima – M. John Harrison(3/5– A writer meets a curious guy named Choe Ashton who starts pacing in his life. Ashton is an enigma: giddy and in love with the world one moment, grumpy and abusive the next. However, he is never less than interesting. It is impossible to see everything without, for example, parts of your vision becoming blurred. Ashton tends to disappear for weeks and months without notice, only to reappear as if nothing happened, and our man can't resist his call every time. The anima is another name for the soul, and Harrison, through Ashton, ably embodies the changeable, restless driver in all of us. It's a good read - less a story than a character study - but what qualified this for inclusion in a horror anthology is beyond me.)

Bright Lights, Big Zombie - Douglas E. Winter(3/5- This Stoker-nominated story is about zombies, New York is struggling to come to terms with its returning dead, and society has banned all nasty videos as part of its response. State-of-the-art fuzzy copies of notorious old and gory films such asCannibal-HolocausteGuinea pigbecome valuable contraband, and there is an opportunity to meet that demand through the production of real-life zombie movies. The story is told in the second person (as fans ofBright lights, big citymight suspect). This is usually a red flag for me, but Winter's playful inventiveness made this one of the prime examples.)

The Ghost Village – Peter Straub(5/5– This great novella extends Straub's novelSizeand is an early and condensed version ofThe throat, the last part of yourblue RoseTrilogy. We're back in the heat of the Vietnamese jungle. Death is just a sniper bullet away. Tim Underhill and Mike Poole explore a chamber unearthed beneath a shack in an abandoned village. Something bad happened here, something bad enough to keep the VC away. Text covers the walls and ceiling of the chamber, old rust-colored bloodstains cover much of the floor, and menacing-looking handcuffs hang loose. A chance encounter at an illegal bar reveals the terrifying truth of the place. AsSizebefore,To the ghost villagewon a World Fantasy Award and is very close to this book.)

And so ends another monstrous review byBest New Horror. Thanks for getting this far. I hope you liked it. Unfortunately, anniversary editions of PS PublishingBest New Horrorseem to have stopped at book three, with little sign of the series continuing. However, they continue to release new volumes in the series, with book twenty-nine (yes, twenty-nine!) arriving next month. That said, you shouldn't have too much trouble getting this book second-hand on Amazon, eBay or AbeBooks if you want it, and as always you can find e-book editions available on all the major platforms.

And so in book five!

LP

A slightly harder riddle this time, which makes me think a stinky one might be coming over the busy Easter weekend! All in all, this was also a very good puzzle, with only one notable rendition of a recent solution (GARB). Below is my full grid as well as explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful.

If you are looking for solutions to the latest dozens of Times Jumbo Cryptic puzzles, go to myJust for funbook page. If you're a fan of horror fiction (why wouldn't you be?)reviewsPage that might make your boat float will soon feature the much-promised review for Best New Horror 4. (I'm just turning them into an English approximation.)

Until then TTFN.

LP

through alleys

1. Are you on a local tour, are you moving forward to slowly advance Crosby? (3-8)

Responder:Pub crawl(e.g. "join a local tour"). The solution is UP (i.e. "ahead") inverted (indicated by "turned") and followed by CRAWL (i.e. "progress slowly"), placed "in" BING (i.e. "Crosby"), as follows: PU-B(CRAWL ) ING.

7. Here you can find shops opened by villains (6)

Responder:VIDEO GAMES(i.e. “find stores here”). The solution is "opened" by CAD (i.e. "rogue"), like so: AR(CAD)E.

10. Almost Dressed Swedish-American Star (4)

Responder:CLOTHING(i.e. "dress"). The solution is Greta GARBO (i.e. "Swedish-American Star") with the last letter removed (denoted by "almost").

14. Principal brings in northern guys to make money abroad (7)

Responder:ONE CENT, which is the designation for small coins from various Latin American countries (i.e. "overseas money"). The solution is CEO (i.e. "Principal Director", specifically a CEO) "bringing" N (a recognized abbreviation for "North") and TIM (i.e. "chap", as in a man's name), as follows: CE (N- TIM )O.

15. Men who separate strangely correspond (3:4)

Responder:TAX PER(i.e. "keep matching" - pro rata means "proportional", so this should be read as "keep parts matching". It's sneaky, but I like that.) The solution is OR (i.e. "men", specifically the other of the Army ranks) by "dividing" an anagram (indicated by "strange") of APART, thus: PR(OR)ATA.

16. Spectacular performance in which the student breaks cover (7)

Responder:BLINDER(i.e. "spectacular appearance"). The solution is L (a recognized abbreviation for "learner") that "breaks" the BINDER (ie "coat"), thus: B(L)INDER.

17. Strive for an arrangement to have excellent small pianos (7.6)

Responder:BIG CONCERTS(i.e. "piano"). The solution is CONCERT (i.e. "effort", think of it as a combined effort) prefixed "of" GRAND (i.e. "excellent") and S (an accepted abbreviation for "small"), like so: CONCERT- GRAND S.

18. Diver tests a vehicle on a boat circling the lake (9)

Responder:GUILLEMOT, a shorebird that can dive to a depth of 100 m (i.e., "diver") to feed. I did a google image search - yes it looks like a bird. The solution is MOT (i.e. "Vehicle Test" - initials are from the now defunct Department of Transportation) placed after GUILE (i.e. "Craft") which "encircles" L (an accepted abbreviation of "Lake"), as follows : GUI(L)LE-MOT.

19. Republican accompanied by toxic guys, speaks in a hoarse voice (5)

Responder:grating(i.e. "speaks in a hoarse voice"). The solution is R (a recognized abbreviation for "Republican") followed by ASPS (ie "poisonous types").

21. Deliver Exactly What You Need at an Ancient Balkan Site (10)

Responder:ANTHRACITE, also known as "coal", which burns without smoke or much flame. So good for grilling. Finally "fuel". The solution is IT (i.e. "the same") placed "in" AN and THRACE (i.e. "old Balkan place" - no, me neither), like this: AN-THRAC(IT)E.

23. Brutal guy throwing back fine dishes (6)

Responder:TIER(i.e. "brutal species"). The solution is LAMINA (i.e. "thin plate") inverted (indicated by "reflected").

25. Decline of the artist - could it be due to depression? (8th)

Responder:REGEN(i.e. "[atmospheric] depression may cause this"). The solution is RA (i.e. "artist", specifically an actual academic), then IN, then FALL (i.e. "rejection").

26. Man's excellent knowledge of the British regiment in the frontier (6-8)

Responder:ELSASS-LORENE, a region of France annexed by the German Empire in the 19th century (i.e. "border region"). The solution is AL'S (i.e. "of man"), then ACE (i.e. "excellent"), followed by LORE (i.e. "knowledge"), placed "on" RA (i.e. "British regiment", specifically the Royal Artillery) and IN , like this: ALS-ACE-LOR(RA-IN)E. I took the Alsace part but had to look for the rest.

29. Gastric Turning Element in Cleric's Work (7)

Responder:BISMUTH(ie “[chemical] element”). The solution is TUM (i.e. "stomach") upside down (indicated by "turn") and placed on top of the BISHOP (i.e. "cleric") with the OP removed (i.e. "lose work" - op is short for operation), as follows: BIS(MUT)H.

30. Is it likely to notice that the retainer is gone? (9)

Responder:ATTENTIVE(i.e. "will probably notice"). The solution is SERVANT (i.e. "retainer") after OB (an abbreviation of "obiit", which is Latin for "died", i.e. "detached"), so: OB-SERVANT.

31. Lived in non-stop luxury on the outskirts of Datchet (5)

Responder:HOUSING(i.e. "inhabited"). The solution is BEM (as in some degree of "luxury") with the last letter removed (denoted by "infinity") and inserted into DT (i.e. "periphery of Datchet", i.e. the first and last letters of "Datchet "), like this: D(BEM)T.

32. Try to catch a glimpse of Romeo - stay close (5)

Responder:FAUCET(i.e. "try to catch a glimpse"). The solution is R (which is "Romeo" in the phonetic alphabet) with CANE (ie "stick") placed "around" like this: C(R)ANE.

34. Ship with tangled bow rope (9)

Responder:MOTORBOAT(i.e. "vessel"). "In Tangle" displays anagram. The solution is an anagram of ROPE AT BOW.

37. Exile busy with the stagnant atmosphere of the unoccupied terrain (7)

Responder:REFUGEE(i.e. "exile"). The solution is RE (i.e. "concerned about"), followed by FUG (i.e. "stale atmosphere") and EE (i.e. "unoccupied cabinet", i.e. the word "cabinet" with all the letters in the middle removed), like this: REFUG-EE.

39. Nurse working after localized pain in diseased parts of the body (8.6)

Responder:ACHILLES TENDON(i.e. "part of the body"). The solution is TEND (i.e. "to take care") and ON (i.e. "to work"), placed "after" DORES (i.e. "pain"), placed "around" ILL (i.e. "sick"), as follows: ACHILLES TENDO.

41. Secret meeting with Tory and Liberal in underground chamber (8)

Responder:CONCLAVE(i.e. “secret meeting”). The solution is CON (i.e. "Tory", specifically an accepted abbreviation for Conservative) and L (ditto "Liberal"), placed "inside" the CAVE (i.e. "underground chamber"), like so: CON-C(L )BIRD .

43. Maybe have riches in a safe (6)

Responder:PLENTY. The solution satisfies "maybe it has riches" and "a safe", as in a jump or A BOUND.

44. Successful at the University of the Duke of Milan (10)

Responder:FLOURISHING(i.e. “it’s fine”). The solution is PROSPERO'S (i.e. "Duke of Milan's", as in Prospero, the protagonist of Shakespeare's workThe storm) with U (a recognized abbreviation for "university") placed "within" as follows: PROSPERO(U)S.

45. Have you seen things in the Ethnological Society? (5)

Responder:TEETH(ie "saw things" - a good play on words that made me smile when I understood it.) "In" indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: SOCIE(TE ETH)NOLOGIQUE.

48. Modified signs of musical flowering at the party (9)

Responder:GLISSANDO(i.e. “musical upswing”). The solution is an anagram (denoted by "modified") of SIGNALS followed by DO (ie "party"), like so: GLISSAN-DO. I tend to complain when musical terms are used as solutions as there are thousands of things, but unusually this was one that I really recognized.

49. Happy household deity to embarrass old spirits (2,4,7)

Responder:OF THE GOOD SPIRIT(i.e. "happy"). The solution is IN (i.e. "[in] house") and GOD (i.e. "deity") "embarrassing" O (an accepted abbreviation for "old man") followed by SPIRITS (i.e. "spirits"), like this: IN - GOOD GHOSTS.

51. European Foreign Movement to Overthrow a Good Foreign Government (7)

Responder:EMIRATES(i.e. “foreign government”). The solution is E (a recognized abbreviation for "European") followed by MIGRATE (i.e. "move abroad"), removing the G (ie "shift well" - G is a recognized abbreviation for "good"), something like like this: E-MIRATO.

52. Barker Gets Mexican Food (7)

Responder:GIFT, which is a fried tortilla (i.e., "Mexican food"). The solution is TOSA (that's a Japanese Mastiff, i.e. "Barker" - did a google image search - meh, random) "catches" TAD (i.e. "small"), so: TOS(TAD)A. A bit smelly, this one.

53. Eastern sea creature that loses its tail in spring (7)

Responder:GO OUT(i.e. "[for] spring" - ignore misleading capitalization). The solution is E (a recognized abbreviation for "Oriental") followed by MANATEE (ie "sea creature") with the last letter removed (indicated by "spilled tail"), thus: E-MANATEE.

54. Cosmetic procedure for the legendary monk (4)

Responder:GUT. The solution satisfies 'Cosmetic Procedure' and 'Legendary Monk'.

55. Always strict on sabotage (6)

Responder:STRENGTH(i.e. "strict"). The solution is placed EVER (i.e. "always") "in" IF (i.e. "in the event of sabotage", i.e. the first and last letters of "sabotage"), like so: S(EVER )AND.

56. Narrowest monitors so upset at being ordered to protect the fortress (11)

Responder:CARRIER(i.e. "closest reference persons" - awkward, but works). The solution is an anagram (denoted by "both") of SO and ORDER, "protective" KEEP (ie, "fortress"), like this: DOOR(KEEP)ERS.

tracks down

1. The vehicle in front must lock with the bonnet retracted (4,3)

Responder:PACE-CAR(i.e. “Primary Vehicle”). The solution is RACE (i.e. "to compete") and CAP (i.e. "upstairs"), all reversed (indicated by "run in"), as follows: PAC-ECAR.

2. Potential problems from troubled relatives supporting the child (6.5)

Responder:BANANA PEELS(i.e. "potential problem"). The solution is BANANAS (meaning "disturbed"), followed by KIN (meaning "family") and S (an accepted abbreviation for "child").

3. God is here to give lift (5)

Responder:ELEVATION(i.e. "height"). The solution is RA (i.e. "god", specifically the ancient Egyptian sun god) followed by IS and then E (i.e. "here at last", i.e. the last letter of "here").

4. Epithet for whale also adapted for this soccer chant? (3,3,3,3,4)

Responder:WHO ATE ALL THE CAKES(i.e. "soccer corner"). "Fitted" indicates an anagram. solution is an anagram of WHALE EPITHET ALSO. A pretty well done track.

5. The Writer's Regret About the Corrupt Part of the Old City (8)

Responder:POLLUTION(i.e. “corrupt component”). The solution is I'M (i.e. "of the writer", a contraction of "the writer is" rather than the possessive; think of it from the creator's point of view), followed by PITY (i.e. "regret"), placed " via " UR (i.e. "ancient city", specifically one in ancient Mesopotamia), so: IM-P(UR)ITY.

6. Draws a line under core principles (6:5)

Responder:BASIC RULES(i.e. “Basic Principles”). The solution is RULES (i.e. "draw the line") placed "under" EARTH (i.e. "reason"), which is a hint downwards.

7. Collect the tea brought in the morning (5)

Responder:ACCUMULATE(i.e. "collect"). The solution is “brought forward” to ASSAM (a sort of “tea”) with AM (i.e. “morning”). This was a solution that took significantly less time than the pun it required!

8. Does it take a lot to feed our planet? (6,3,5)

Responder:CHARGE THE EARTH. The solution satisfies both "huge demand" and "feeding our planet."

9. Labor leader's style in a European city (6)

Responder:DUBLIN(i.e. "European city"). The solution is DUB (i.e. "style"), followed by "by" L (i.e. "Labour Leader", i.e. the first letter of "Labour") and then IN, like this: DUB-L-IN.

11. Found a jogger on the Champs Elysées? (4-7)

Responder:CHECKLIST, which is a memory or something that the memory "plays". Solution riffs on how this is a French expression as suggested by "on the Champs Elysées".

12. Regressive kid destroyed the last old reform school (7)

Responder:STACK BRUSHES(i.e. “former reform school”). The solution is ROB (i.e. "boy" - I guess in the context of the solution it couldn't really be "man"), which is inverted (indicated by "regressive"), followed by an anagram (indicated by "wrecked") of LAST like this: BOR-STAL.

13. One who boards a ship under the wind (8)

Responder:LEVEL(i.e. "one who goes high"). The solution is LINER (i.e. "ship") placed "beneath" AIR (i.e. "wind"), which is one track down, like this: AIR-LINER.

20. I can almost bear consuming fondant (7)

Responder:SUFUSE(i.e. "spread"). The solution is SUFFER (i.e. "hold up") with the last letter removed (indicated by "almost") and the rest "spent" US (i.e. "American"), like this: SUFF(US)E.

22. Have a little laugh with someone at the credit check meeting (5)

Responder:CHAIR(i.e. "[for] Control Session"). The solution is HA (meaning "little laugh") "with" I (Roman numeral "one") placed "in" CR (an accepted abbreviation for "credit"), like so: C(HA-I)R .

24. Saleswoman stores wood and food (11.5)

Responder:PORTERHOUSE-STEAK, which is broadly similar to a T-bone steak (i.e., "food"). The solution is PORTER (i.e. "employee"), followed by CASAS (i.e. "shops") and TEAK (i.e. "wood").

25. Touching and useless novel because without chapter (7)

Responder:REBECCA, a "novel" by Daphne Du Maurier. That was a solution that I suspected right from the start and only realized the play on words at the end. Strange. Anyway, the solution is RE (i.e. "touching [about]" or relative) followed by BEIL without the USE (i.e. "useless"), which is then rolled up, or "without" C (an accepted abbreviation of "chapter") ), such as: RE-BEC(C)A.

27. Too much here to be taken out of context - remember? (7)

Responder:EXTREMELY(i.e. "too much"). "Retracted by" indicates that the solution is hidden in the clue, like this: CONT(EXT REME)MBER.

28. Heart problems? Here is peace in retirement! (3-5.6)

Responder:HOT BOTTLE(i.e. “retirement comfort” like going to bed). The solution is HOT WATER (ie "problem") followed by BOTTLE (ie "heart" like courage).

31. Damage adjuster as insolvency administrator of a chemical company (7)

Responder:DEFICIT(i.e. “Loss”). The solution is that DEFT (ie "expert") "gets" ICI (a former "chemical company", specifically Imperial Chemical Industries) as follows: DEF(ICI)T.

33. Without admitting the accident, I paid for another driver (11)

Responder:APHRODISIAC(i.e. a "conductor" for a little bit "other", poke, poke). The solution is an anagram (denoted by "outside") of CRASH I PAID "admit" O (ie "nothing"), like this: APHR(O)DISIAC.

35. Big American trucks transporting new phones (5)

Responder:CALL(i.e. "phones"). The solution is RIGS (meaning "big American trucks") "hauling" N (a recognized abbreviation for "new"), like so: RI(N)GS.

36. Beware of dangerous cornering (2,4,5)

Responder:ON GUARD(i.e. "cautious"). The solution is ONE(i.e. "catch", although I can't immediately think of an example of this)followed by an anagram (denoted by "curves") of DANGEROUS.
[EDIT: Check out the comments where Michael gives a good explanation of how ON is derived.]

38. Serious in assisting a learned person to become an idol (6.5)

Responder:RECORDED IMAGE(i.e. "idol"). The solution is GRAVE (ie, "serious"), followed by IN, which is reversed (indicated by "backing"), and then MAGE (ie, "learned person"), like this: GRAVE-NI-MAGE.

40. No sailor lands on the island (8)

Responder:COUNTRYMAN, i.e. someone with no maritime experience (i.e. “not a seaman”). The solution is LANDS (meaning "landing") followed by MAN (meaning "island", as in the Isle of Man).

42. Mountain pass on the state-built ring road (8)

Responder:COLORADO(i.e. “State [USA]”). The solution is COL (ie "mountain pass") followed by O (ie "ring") and an anagram (indicated by "constructed") of ROAD, like this: COL-O-RADO.

43. Add to men succeeding us in about 31 days? (7)

Responder:INCREASE(i.e. "add to"). The solution is AUGUST (i.e. "approx. 31 days") from the USA "repealed" and replaced by MEN.

46. ​​​​Society Girl Stalking House Partyplaner (7)

Responder:HOSTESS(i.e. “party promoter”). The solution is S (a recognized abbreviation for "society") and TESS (i.e. "girl") "hunt" or placed after HO (a recognized abbreviation for "house"), like this: HO-S-TESS.

47. Is it essential? On the other hand! (6)

Responder:HERE(i.e. "heard"). The solution says that "in here" is "contrasted" to "out there".

49. Children who can be taken in case of disagreements? (5)

Responder:OUTPUT. The solution satisfies both "kids" and "what can be taken when there is disagreement" as in "to discuss something".

50. Absurd and crazy to throw away a shilling (5)

Responder:MUTTER(i.e. "nonsense"). The solution is madness (i.e. "crazy") after "toss away" S (a recognized abbreviation of "shilling").

Another easy riddle this week, but also another one with several clues that I really liked because of their clever construction or their digitization. The only flaw here is the resurgence of several recent puzzle solutions, including one that was essentially a direct copy. I know The Times uses software to create certain puzzles (which is oddly why they have the word "wet" in the upper-right corner of their word puzzle code uncomfortably often), but I hope they don't do the same here. Still, one wonders. Apart from that, below is my complete solution as well as explanations of my solutions where I got them.

Before we get there, a few distractions. If you want to see solutions for the latest dozens of Times Jumbo Cryptics go to myJust for funbook page. If horror fiction is your thing (or a guilty pleasure), then I'm currently working on the long oneBest New HorrorSeries you can jump to in minereviewsbook page. Feel free to leave a comment. I mostly moderate it to keep spammers out, but I'll let anything genuine happen.

And thus my solution. Later taters.

LP

through alleys

1. Lateral holding power in a splinter group (6)

Responder:ASPECT(i.e. "page"). The solution is a sect (ie, "a splinter group") that "holds" P (an accepted abbreviation for "power"), ie: A-S(P)ECT.

4. Underworld boss with self-operating cell phone (10)

Responder:PERSONAL, who was the queen of the underworld (i.e. “chief of the underworld”) in Greek mythology. The solution is PER SE (Latin for "by itself"), followed by TELEFONE (i.e. "mobile").

10. Maybe start a new colony as part of a cruel war (5)

Responder:SWARM(i.e. "Go to found a new colony"). "As part of" indicates that the solution is hidden in the clue, like this: VICIOU(S WAR M)AYBE.

14. Being somewhat hunchbacked in the exam is characteristic of success (9)

Responder:Triumph(i.e. “success trait”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by "somehow") of HUMP "getting...into" TRIAL (ie "trial"), thus: TRI(UMPH)AL.

15. Strange edict on article after article written by relative turns out to be true (13)

Responder:AUTHENTICATED(i.e. "shown as true"). The solution is an anagram (denoted by "funny") of EDICT placed around A (i.e. an "article"), which is then placed "after" THE ("another [article]") once it's read by TIA was "written" ( i.e. "relatively"), like this: AU(THE)NT-IC(A)TED.

16. Refuses to accept an underdeveloped student (7)

Responder:KLEIN(i.e. "less developed"). The solution is LITTER (i.e. "garbage", like garbage) "admit" L (an accepted abbreviation for "pupil"), something like this: LITT(L)ER.

17. On foot, provides quick coverage (7)

Responder:TOENAIL. The delicate flesh under your fingernails and toenails is the fast, which is why you might hear about someone chewing their nails to the quick. On one foot, the nail can be considered a "quick cover." I actually groaned when I got this, but I have to admit it's a great track.

18. The cross verbalist's final type of wordplay after placing the third puzzle (7)

Responder:TANGRAMM, a Chinese "puzzle" composed of seven pieces of different geometric shapes that, when placed correctly, form a square. You will know when you come. The solution is T (i.e. "last of thecruciverbalist", i.e. the last letter of "cruciverbalist") followed by ANAGRAM (i.e. "kind of pun") with the "third [letter] placed", as follows: T-ANGRAM. Another good tip, this one.

19. To avoid offense, in a way - as it covers first (11.7)

Responder:POLITICALLY CORRECT(i.e. "avoidance of crime in a sense"). The solution says that this term is often abbreviated to "PC", which is also "like copper, initially", ie a policeman.

21. Act like a submissive dog or other pet (4)

Responder:FAWN. The solution satisfies both "Behave like a dutiful dog" and "little animal", i.e. a deer.

24. Decide not to walk around with an old-fashioned small gun (5)

Responder:DORN. In the language of newspaper editors (according to my Chambers, at least), a rejected article is considered falsified (i.e., "chooses not to run"). The solution is S (a recognized abbreviation for "small") followed by PIKE (ie "old-fashioned weapon").

26. Investor finally compensated by holding currently issued shares (8)

Responder:RATIONED(i.e. "Shares Issued"). The solution is R (i.e. "Investor final", i.e. the last letter of "Investor") followed by ATONED (i.e. "compensated") "Holding" I (an accepted abbreviation for an electric "current"), like so: R - AT (I)ONED.

27. Proceeds from sales, including advertising (8)

Responder:MARKE(i.e. “promotional activity”).I'm not sure about this one, so stay tuned. My solution is BRING, which I think "makes the sale", although I can't imagine it, namely "have" AND (ie "also include"), something like: BR(AND)ING. An awkward note, if that's the case.

29. Outcome of making a name for yourself as a fighter (3,2,6)

Responder:WARNAME, which is a fake name (e.g. "make a name for yourself"). In French, the answer is "nom de guerre". Centuries ago, such noms de guerre were given to new recruits in the French army, i.e. “as combatants”.

30. What you can get from the menu, summarized (11)

Responder:NOURISHMENT. In the context of the track, food is really "what you can get from what's on the menu". "What is available from" is also an anagram of SHORT MENU.

32. Is it worth disbanding a rock group? Not yet (6.5)

Responder:STONE THROWING(i.e. "not yet"). The solution is The Rolling STONES (ie "rock group") followed by an anagram (denoted by "breakup") of WORTH, something like this: STONES-THROW.

35th cut – result of freezing, shall we say – in an authoritarian regime (6.5)

Responder:POLICE STATE(i.e. “authoritarian regime”). The solution is LOP (i.e. "cut") in reverse (indicated by "go back"), followed by ICE (i.e. "freeze result") and STATE (i.e. "say"), like so: POL-ICE -STATE.

37th pause as a European is fairly accepted by the British (8)

Responder:VENTILATION(i.e. "quiet"). The solution is E (a recognized abbreviation for "European" which you'll see a few times in this puzzle - tsk, all those Europeans who come here and steal our abbreviations... #satire) placed in B (also "British") and RATHER (or i.e. "reasonably"), something like this: B-R(E)ATHER.

39. Bad Luck Besets European - Score reduced by six (8)

Responder:FOURTEEN(i.e. "score reduced by six"). The solution is an anagram (denoted by "bad") of FORTUNE "assetting" E (a recognized abbreviation for "European" - you know what I mean?), like this: FOURT(E)EN.

40. Something remarkable about the initial appearance of the university (5)

Responder:DEBUT(i.e. “initial appearance”). The solution is DEBT (meaning "something extraordinary") placed "above" U (a recognized abbreviation for "university"), like this: DEB(U)T.

43. What is the problem with intelligence? poet testimony (4)

Responder:GRAU. The solution imbues "what [grey] matter is with intelligence" and "poet utterance", i.e. a homophone of Thomas Gray.

44. It's half a world from here (8.10)

Responder:SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. In the context of the catwalk, and given that The Times is a British newspaper, the southern hemisphere is actually "half a world" away.

47. High quality medicines mis-dispensed (7)

Responder:HAIRCUT(i.e. “Medication Form”). "Incorrectly provided" displays anagram. Solution is an anagram of UPSCALE.

48. The fruit was disgusting with her (7)

Responder:rose hip(i.e. "fruit" of the rose bush). The solution is ROSE (i.e., "rebellious," as in "rose up") followed by HIP (i.e., "with it," as in cool, daddio).

50. King protected by subjects in heated situations (7)

Responder:TROPICAL(i.e. "hot situations"). The solution is R (a recognized abbreviation for "king", specifically Rex) "protected" by TOPICS (ie "subjects"), like so: T(R)OPICS.

51. For example, do you like cricket? Overcounting is checked again and again (13)

Responder:INSECT(i.e. "enjoy, say, cricket", as in the insect). "Revised" displays anagram. The solution is an anagram of OVER COUNT IS and IS (i.e. "is repeated"). Another track I really liked.

52. 16th Century Town House (9)

Responder:LANCASTER. The solution satisfies both the "fifteenth-century house" such as the House of Lancaster, which gave us a number of King Henrys in the fifteenth century, and the "town house" such as Lancaster House, a mansion found in London.

53. How is the crook chosen for the site in a special way? (5)

Responder:STRANGE(i.e. "in a special way").I have no idea what the rest of the track means.

54. Surprised because I've lost a lot of weight (10)

Responder:ASTONISHED(i.e. "full of wonders"). The solution is AS (meaning "since"), followed by TON (meaning "too much weight") and I SHED (meaning "I lost").

55. What oblivion did the drink ultimately achieve in this one? (6)

Responder:BINDER. The solution is N and D (i.e. "ultimately achieved oblivion", i.e. the last letters of "oblivion" and "achieved") placed "in" BEER (i.e. "to drink"), something like this: BE (ND)ER. In the context of the hint, drinking is excessive drinking, in which case oblivion may well be achieved. The beer monster in me agrees.

tracks down

1. Wild animals run to the stakes (9)

Responder:ANTELOPEN(i.e. “wild animals”). The solution is LOPE (which "runs" with long strides) placed "inside" ANTES (i.e. "stakes"), like this: ANTE(LOPE)S.

2. Painters first list oil in mixed art technique (11)

Responder:POINTILLISMUS(i.e. “artistic technique”). The solution is P (i.e. "painter initial", i.e. the first letter of "painter") followed by an anagram (indicated by "mixed") of LIST OIL IN and then M (a recognized abbreviation for "medium", which is in clothing sizes is used ), like this: P-OINTILLIS-M.

3. Left in a jewel in time for the royal court (7)

Responder:SCRAP METAL!SCRAP METAL!SCRAP METAL!(It's just a template.)I'm waiting over a thousand words to write this! In any case, "real cut". The solution is L (a recognized abbreviation for "left") placed in CAMEO (i.e. "trinket") followed by T (a recognized abbreviation for "time"), like so: CAME(L)O-T. It's a silly place.

5th Written Account of Century Brilliant Achievement (5)

Responder:SEEM, which is magnificence or conspicuous distinction (i.e. "brilliant effort"). The solution is TALE (i.e. "report") inverted (indicated by "in writing", this is a downward clue) and placed "around" C (an accepted abbreviation for "century"), as follows: E(C) LAT. Seems to be a handy word for setter as this solution has surfaced as wellin January.

6. House of Lords may have changed its ethos domestically (7.4)

Responder:RESIDENCE(e.g. "House of Lords, perhaps" - ignore the misleading capitalization). "Modified" indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of ETHOS TAMELY.

7. Confusing pagan theory with ancient philosophy (11)

Responder:PYTHAGOREAN(i.e. "ancient philosophy"). "Confuse" displays anagram. Solution is an anagram of PAGAN and THEORY. Sound familiar? It should be, as a near-faithful copy of this track has also surfaced.fifteen days ago. My heart sank when I first solved this, thinking we were on to another Greatest Hits puzzle. It's a bit suspicious that the same uncommon word comes up twice in a few weeks, isn't it?

8. See how you can support the previous master in particular (8)

Responder:SOVEREIGN(i.e. "master over all"). The solution is LO (i.e. "see", as in "lo and behold") and RD (i.e. "path", specifically a recognized abbreviation for "road" used in street names) "supporting" or following OVER (i.e. " past" ) , something like this: OVER-LO-RD.

9. Motor vehicle overturned in competition (6.3)

Responder:AUTO(i.e. “motor vehicle”). The solution is STATE (ie "say") placed "in" RACE (ie "competition") inverted (indicated by "overturned"), like so: E(STATE)CAR.

10. Behind the back (6)

Responder:SECOND. The solution satisfies "behind" (as in the second move) and "behind the back" (as in the second move).

11. Adjusted temperature later in simple option (11)

Responder:ALTERNATIVE(i.e. "option"). Solution is an anagram (indicated by "adjusted") of LATER followed by T (a recognized abbreviation for "temperature") placed "in" NAÏVE (ie "simple"), like so: ALTER-NA(T)IVE.

12. Originellstes Palindrom-Thema? (5)

Answer: In the famous "Palindrome" Madame, I am Adam,MADAMwould be the “subject” to which the palindrome is addressed.To be honest, I'm not sure where the "more original" part comes into play.

13. Current malfunction in LA? (5.7)

Responder:SHORT CIRCUIT(i.e. “Current Fault”). The solution also satisfies "LA" as interrupted in the word "lap" - another word for "circuit".

Volume 20 of Scholarly American found on a railroad track (8)

Responder:LITERARY(i.e. “academics”). The solution is LITER (i.e. "American's volume", as in the American spelling of "liter") placed "on" A and RY (a recognized abbreviation for "railway"), like this: LITER-A-RY.

22. Fasten the female garment together with the male (7)

Responder:NIGHTSHIRT(i.e. “garment for women”). The solution is NIGH (i.e., "close") and TIE (i.e., "manly," as in a man's robe). Another solution thatrecently introduced.

23. Motivated with drugs in this way, concluding (8)

Responder:enthusiastic(i.e. “motivated”). The solution is SO (i.e. "this way") and AND (i.e. "damn", specifically an accepted abbreviation for "ecstasy") inserted "into" END (i.e. "conclusion"), as follows: EN(THUS -E)D .

25. Participate in a new event held after ten (8).

Responder:ELEVENTH(i.e. "after ten"). "Participate" indicates that the solution is hidden in the clue, like this: NOV(EL EVENT H)ELD.

28. Who sees what is charged for the sweet (5:3)

Responder:GOAL(i.e. a "candy"). In the context of the ring, a bull would use the eye to see what it was about to attack. I really liked the humor here. Well played.

29. What mainly contains, say, oats that are readily consumed by horses? (7)

Responder:WITH A BAG. The solution is NAG (i.e. "horse") "consumptive" O S E and B (i.e. "mainly oats, say, be light", i.e. the initials of "oats", "say", "light" and "be"), like back then: N(O-S-E-B)AG. In the context of tracking, a nose pouch may actually contain oats for a horse. Another good 'un.

31. Popular with voters including female relatives who are unpredictable (12)

Responder:INCONSISTENT(i.e. "irregular"). The solution is IN (i.e. "popular") followed by CONTENT (i.e. "constituents") "including" SIS (i.e. "female relative", short for "sister"), like this: IN-CON(SIS ) TRY

33. Lots of publicity about the presented European vote (11)

Responder:Overexposed(i.e. "gave much publicity"). The solution is OVER (i.e. "over", such as "crying over spilled milk"), followed by E (our old friend, a recognized abbreviation for "European"), then X (i.e. "vote") and POSED (i.e. "presented"), like this: OVER-E-X-POSED.

34. Golf Clubs Finally Hold The English Open - Competitors Don't Want It (6.5)

Responder:WOODEN SPOON(i.e. "competitors don't want to"). The solution is WOOD and SPOON (meaning "golf club" - a spoon is an obsolete golf club; we had a bra the other day, so why not) "hold" E (a recognized abbreviation for "English") and N (meaning "open at last") , i.e. the last letter of "offen"), something like this: WOOD-(E-N)-SPOONS.

35. Cut down on new academic papers that follow immediately (11)

Responder:CLAMPS. The solution is PARE (meaning "reduce"), followed by N (a recognized abbreviation for "new") and TESE (meaning "academic work"). In the context of the clue, a parenthesis surrounding (11) immediately follows. Another track I liked.

36. Moderated on a held speech, short (11)

Responder:ABBREVIATED(i.e. "short"). The solution is SLAMMED (i.e. "moderate"), placed "above" I (Roman numeral "one") and the VERB (i.e. "part of speech") reversed (indicated by "be sustained", this is a track down), like this: AB(BREV-I)ATED.

38. Trade publications I create in such a mysterious way (9)

Responder:Esoteric(i.e. “specialist publications”). "Cryptic" indicates anagram. The solution is an anagram of I CREATE SO.

41. The fund manager changed course more confidently (9)

Responder:TREASURER(i.e. “Fund Manager”). The solution is an anagram (denoted by "changed") of RATE followed by SURER (ie "safer"), like so: TREA-SURER. Another Greatest Hit, only this solutionshowed up last week!

42. Sailor on board strong boat (5.3)

Responder:BEGIN(i.e. "start"). The solution is TAR (an often crossword-favorite word for "sailor") bringing STOUT (i.e. "hard") "on board", like so: S(TAR)TOUT.

45. Subject to hugging a cute girl who is vulgar at first (7)

Responder:DISCHARGE(i.e. "vulgar"). The solution is PRONE (i.e. "subject to"), "hugs" FA (i.e. "sweet girl, initial" - this took me some time to figure out, but this is related to Sweet Fanny Adams, which is usually spelled "Sweet FA “ is abbreviated). , something like this: PRO(FA)NE. I really liked the recursion as "Sweet FA" is often used for a specific known profanity.

46. ​​Energetically or pathetically weak because of the exam (6)

Responder:YUMMY(i.e. "strong"). The solution is PUNY (meaning "pathetically weak") placed above CH (a recognized abbreviation of "check" used in chess), like so: PUN(CH)Y.

47. Corporate capital affected by inflation? (5)

Answer: CAIRO (i.e. "capital [of Egypt]"). The solution is CO (a recognized abbreviation for "corporate") with AIR (i.e., "affected by inflation," like blowing up a balloon) placed inside, like so: C(AIR)O. Another one that made me smile when I found out.

49. Crying holding a child giving a sign of life (5)

Responder:IMPULSE(i.e. “sign of life”). The solution is PULE, meaning to whine or whimper (i.e. "to cry"), "to hold" S (an accepted abbreviation of "son"), something like this: PUL(S)E.