Back to Back

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Puzzle grid
The twelve unclued lights, taken in the order of their appearance (with Across lights preceding Down lights), form a progression of words which may be linked back to back. Clue answers include six proper words; 10 Across is uncommon; a variant spelling is involved in 17 Across. Remember that punctuation in the clues may be used deceptively.

Across

  • 1.
    Shed in swamp (SLOUGH)
  • 9.
    Position open for unskilled laborer (PEON)
  • 10.
    For vampire Dracula, Miami is home (LAMIA)
  • 11.
    When the king is away, depression turns to jollity (FUN)
  • 13.
    Extract from coroner on device for removing hearts (CORER)
  • 14.
    Love to peruse nymph (OREAD)
  • 15.
    Garden of Eden has twice the room (DEN)
  • 17.
    Problem of time and money (TROUBLE)
  • 18.
    Equality is something very important to the French (PARIS)
  • 20.
    Rejoiced in return of splendid time (EXULTED)
  • 21.
    Old Jets given some Rams? (JOSTLED)
  • 27.
    Prophetic quiet fills Indian place with outset of ceremony (DELPHIC)
  • 28.
    Top man after Christ (HEAD)
  • 29.
    Sea monster on the tail of retreating crocodile (ORC)
  • 31.
    Vault with dangerous consequences (GRAVE)
  • 33.
    Support a certain opera (AIDA)
  • 34.
    Land adds mass to concrete (REALM)
  • 35.
    Turn back (apt to be crowded) (TEEM)
  • 36.
    Stew in returnable cans (SNIT)
  • 37.
    Alternate notice now and then (SEESAW)

Down

  • 2.
    On the field, king equals king (LEAR)
  • 3.
    Persevering and topping off sundae, died—eating rotten nut (UNDAUNTED)
  • 4.
    Happy beginning—girl meets boy (GLAD)
  • 5.
    Characters, alternating in term, accede to presiding position (EMCEE)
  • 6.
    One king among millions (LION)
  • 7.
    Hot dog—one with ketchupy exterior (CURRIED)
  • 8.
    Makes socks smell uplifting (KNITS)
  • 9.
    Ho! Pot shot! (PHOTO)
  • 11.
    Alarm is loud, getting attention (FEAR)
  • 12.
    Lighting of sign with none out (NEON)
  • 16.
    Moslem lands a hit—place goes wild (CALIPHATE)
  • 19.
    Indian put back in orphanage home (MOHEGAN)
  • 22.
    Transfers $100 in business transactions (DECALS)
  • 23.
    Asian connection at hearing (THAI)
  • 24.
    Shepherd’s first 100 sheep get lost (SCRAM)
  • 25.
    More than one fanciful wish (about 1000)! (WHIMS)
  • 26.
    Win near-falls (EARN)
  • 27.
    Imagine 500,500 sheets of newspaper (DREAM)
  • 30.
    Aide changes light bulb (IDEA)
  • 32.
    Rat gets off craft (ART)