3D/5D/6D. This little grouping is kind of intelligent. “With 3-Down, title setting of a 1937 Agatha Christie mystery” is THE / NILE, on which there was death. (I recognize the eye to element on this type of clue, which makes much less-than-fascinating fill extra fascinating.) The puzzle alludes to a different thrilling character (James Bond, moderately than Hercule Poirot) in 6D: “A time to dye?” The reply is EASTER, when folks colour eggs.
13D. When you understand the reply, this sort of hyper-particular trivia actually scratches an itch — it’s so gratifying when these overflowing submitting cupboards in your lengthy-time period reminiscence yield one thing helpful. But this was all news to me: “His 2016 debut album unseated ‘Thriller’ for the most weeks spent in the top 10 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart” refers to POST MALONE and his album called “Stoney.”
27D. This clue calls for a comparable musical factoid, nevertheless it’s geared towards my era, and straightforward for my thoughts to unearth: The “‘Forever Young’ band, 1984” is ALPHAVILLE, who have been in heavy rotation on MTV with this new wave ballad.
Constructor Notes
This puzzle began with JUNETEENTH within the northwest nook. The first time I heard that time period I knew I needed to make use of it in a crossword puzzle.
POST MALONE seems within the northeast nook as a result of my son Tim favored him at one cut-off date.
I positioned WAYMO within the center as a result of I needed no less than one 5-letter debut entry in that space.
For the southwest nook, I began with EVIL DEAD. That film is a basic as a result of it’s so humorous and tacky.
The southeast nook was final. I needed to resolve which entry was greatest within the 38-Down spot. Once I selected PORE OVER, I favored the truth that I might put ON THE FENCE at 61-Across and clue it with the only phrase “Torn.”
I bought an infinite quantity of assist with clues for this puzzle. Brendan Quigley did a video name with me the place we talked about total philosophy for writing themeless clues. Byron Walden and I emailed forwards and backwards a lot. I additionally bought assist from Trent Evans, Jules Markey, Julian Lim, each Tracy’s (Bennett and Gray), Michael Dewey and Robyn Weintraub. Thank you all very a lot!
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