A Puzzle by Radler

Down clues are normal, but 5 down is unclued

Across clues are of two types:
(i) Clues for the eight entries that cross or meet with 5 down (such as 4A and 12A) are normal cryptic clues, but lead to answers that are one letter shorter than is available in the grid, and the (shaded) checking cell with 5 down should be left blank.
(ii) The other seven across clues (those that don’t intersect 5 down, such as 1A), have a normal definition, but the wordplay generates an extra letter.

To complete the puzzle, determine the value of 5 down. The letters to go into its 8 checked cells must result in real words in the corresponding across entries. The extra letters from the wordplay of the other across clues, (in clue order), provide the 7 unchecked letters.

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

Download the Crossword Solver or AcrossLite software

DownloadPuzzle Software