Listener 4187: Prize and Prize-winner by Dysart

[midazolam]

The lack of numbers in the grid didnt hold this puzzle up for long and now having obtained a full grid, the author, birthplace, the removed five letter collection and one of the three novels highlighted, it is now a case of hunting. I do like a hunt...

[midazolam]

The second came quite quickly but I was being completely dense about the third. Anyone remember that dastardly puzzle from a few years back where the whole grid was full of movies but cryptically represented? I enjoy those little challenges, or in the earlier case a big challenge. Back to Dysart's puzzle, fun and a packed grid. Thanks

[Ruthrobin]

I am chasing you with the full grid (with one doubtful cell) the author and knowledge of what I am looking for for all the rest. A very fair set of clues and relatively gentle grid fill. As you said, the lack of numbers wasn't the threat it seemed to be at first.

[Ruthrobin]

Laughing at myself now - I wonder how many others will do what I did and have egg all over their faces (no clues - that would completely spoil it for everyone so please, please let's honour our AB Listener code on this one!)

[Zabadak]

those of you who follow my Listener musings will know that my heart sank on reading "hidden in the grid", and while I started late (my missus did the Sport Relief mile swim today - shy one leg that's something!) the grid filled fairly steadily, and at least the author was not too hard to find.
The snag with "cryptic representations" is that they could be almost anything, even given a selection of the possible answers. I believe I have found all the items, but if I was feeling like it, I might try and talk myself into some alternatives - I bet there are some, depending on how twisty you want to be. Ticking off all the items in the preamble helps, though, and I'll let this one stay the right side of fair, missing a word search grump by a couple of happy accidents.
Thanks to Dysart and regards to all.

[Zabadak]

PS - should anyone be inspired to sponsor my Missus and her amazing one and a bit leg swim, you can do it here: http://my.artezglobal...372047&langPref=en-CA
Cheers

[starwalker]

Gradually closing in on this. Author spotted some time ago. Now it is just a case of the final few cells and playing hunt the cryptic representation. May save that for a rainy day, like tomorrow. No rush - I've been caught out before by Dysart.

[aldanna]

A near miss for the Friday club! I have everything but the six-letter rectangle -and also 28 down, unfortunately. Off to the Lake District for a week's walking tomorrow so this may well be as far as I get.

[cluelessJoe]

yes, Band on the run by Tea Leaves, a fine golden oldie Midazolam.

This one did not have quite the same gridfull of cryptics, but the ones which did appear were pleasantly diverting - as was Ruthrobin's eggy face.

Thanks to Dysart

[sunny-dave]

Easy grid fill - then a looong hour at "egg on face city".

All done now though - excellent puzzle - some nice clues (11d appeals) and even the grid staring was entertaining.

Thanks Dysart

[AHearer]

This was great fun -- and all fell out neatly once one of the cryptic titles had corrected an erroneous grid entry. Not an author with whom I was familiar: how educational The Listener is.

[Walterloo]

After a brief episode with some of Ruthrobin's egg flavoured face covering I'm all done. Excellent clues I thought, 34a and 43 in particular, and lots of stuff to do. Thanks Dysart.

[trux]

Had had too much pop with clients (then friends) yesterday and only got in late, so half-attacked it last night before falling asleep involuntarily; quite quickly checked and polished it off this morning. Novelist with whom I am well familiar, which helped (even yesterday). Skilfully put together grid, with plenty of thematic stuffing. Much enjoyed this, a very good puzzle in true Listener tradition. Many thanks, Dysart.

[Charpy]

Late start, but all done at long last. Face suitably egged.

[sunny-dave]

Just having a check through - looks an even better puzzle in the light of day than it did at 1am.

Can't fully parse 45a though and it's irritating me - can someone whisper a small hint please to [e-mail]

[silversolver]

That was a lot of fun (and count me in with the other eggy faces...). Some lovely and groan-inducing clues and an enjoyable endgame, even if finding the 6-letter representation took longer than it should have done. Thanks Dysart.

[silversolver]

sunny dave, you have mail

[upsetter]

I should have known by now.
If it seems too obvious...

[sunny-dave]

Well you learn something every day - especially a Listener day - cheers silversolver :+)

[Alekhine]

I was greatly afeared on reading the Preamble, but it was all fairly straightforward in the end.

The grid search was fun.

[Zabadak]

I've only just (because it bothered me slightly) worked out the significance of the Title - the "Prize" is also there in the grid in full.
And by the by, a big thank you to those generous ABers who sponsored herself in her marathon swim. There's some great people out there, and that's another 20 children (thus far) who will be protected from malaria. Cheers!