Friday, May 10, 2024, Jesse Cohn

A speedy Friday for this solver (13:21), without being exactly sure why or HOW. There were plenty of top-notch QMCs like "Level bests?" (HIGHSCORES), "One who can't handle their moonshine well?" (WEREWOLF), "Attention seeker?" (AHEM), "Negative impression?" (DENT), and "Lose the threads?" (STRIP) - ha! - not to mention some nicely ambiguous C/APs including "Punt, e.g." for BOAT, "Say, say" for CLAIM, and for "Noses" the rather odd SMELLERS.

But in the mix we also had "Stock holders?" for BARNS, "Chapel part" (APSE), "Scotch flavorer" (PEAT), and "Tiny bit" (IOTA), all of which are kinda Mondayish.

I did have a little difficulty connecting the clue "Coffee shop amenity" to its answer because Wifi was too short and 'creamers' didn't work. I was surprised when it turned out to be our old friend the INTERNET. How quickly we forget. 

There were a few short fillers like DES, FAS, and PIS, but otherwise, I thought the grid was clean with plenty of enjoyable fill including the fun expressions WHATTHEYHEY, ALLTHERAGE, and IVEBEENHAD. I also enjoyed STREETSMARTS and the trio ROMA, REBA, SELMA across the bottom of the top section. 

Speaking of PIS, I just finished reading one of the post-Robert B. Parker Spenser novels written by Ace Atkins. I found it surprisingly close in writing style, but not quite dead on, so to speak. There wasn't much interaction with Susan, though, and no Hawk at all, which, perhaps, made things easier. Any of our dear Readers a Spenser fan?

~Frannie.