Category: Themed

Words: 78

Average Length: 4.74

You don’t have to solve crosswords for long before figuring out that some names come up over and over again.  Well, more accurately, some first or last names (ENO, ISSA, ALOU, ESAI …). 

One of the most commonly used names – a first name, in this case – belongs to a wonderful singer who deserves to have her full name, along with the song that is often used to clue her, contained in a puzzle.  This puzzle, in fact.  And, because that song can be read as an imperative, I decided to take its instruction to heart in more than two dozen of this puzzle’s entries.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Words: 72

Average Length: 5.14

I set myself a construction challenge on this one – come up with a grid where the revealer crosses all four theme answers.  I succeeded in doing so, but at the expense of including a passel of 3s.  Have at it, and enjoy!

If you’re a fan of all manner of word puzzles – crosswords, Rows Gardens, acrostics, snake charmers, spirals – do yourself a favor and check out Jeanne Breen’s brilliant new puzzle site, In Pursuit of Puzzles.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Words: 74

Average Length: 5.03

Three predicaments and “comforting words” from a fictional (as opposed to theoretical) physicist.  Enjoy!

online | puz | pdf | solution

Words: 75 (17×13)

Average Length: 5.17

I’d been playing around with this theme idea for a while and decided it was time to quit dilly-dallying.  The grid’s not real pretty and placement of one theme answer breaks with symmetry, but hopefully all is forgiven for the sake of entertainment.

online | puz | pdf | solution