Puzzle by Janet Bender, edited by Will Shortz
Easy Monday as intended -- however, this is an exciting easy, it is full of wonderful and original references not seen in the everyday Monday puzzle. Four lines across the grid have double-word E-beginning entries:
EMILIOESTEVEZ ((20A “The Breakfast Club” actor)
EXTRAEFFORT (31A More work than required)
ELECTRICEEL (41A It may come as a shock to a diver)
EASTERNEMPIRE (55A Domain ruled from Constantinople)
Throughout the grid the letter “E” appears thirty plus times, included in such entries as EMAIL (27D Communication that may have an attachment); ILIE (14A Nastase of tennis); ULEES (16A “_____ Gold” [1997 film]); FEED (34D Nourish); and ETE (47A French vacation time) double-E’s and many single-E’s throughout.
The letter “E” is the best vowel to bring the face to a smile (say “cheese”). What better way to start the week!
An “E” for “Excellent”!
Illustrations: 20A, 31A, 41A and 55A
Puzzle available on the internet at
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What a day! I'm finally getting around to visiting blogs and making my trivial comments : )
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