Wednesday, September 29, 2021 - SHH, this crossword has a SECRET

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

It's always a good sign when Alex Eaton-Salners' name is on the puzzle, and he does not disappoint today, with a puzzle built to AMUSE. There are multiple answers that when deprived of the circled letter in their midst become their opposite, e.g., 13A, Stay in power, RESIGN (with the S circled), becomes REIGN; and 23A, Hold on to, HEAVE (with the E circled), becomes HAVE. Very cute! There were some other examples of Alex's word-play-prowess at work: 32D, Perfumes with a thurible, CENSES (oh my!), and 52D, Lead-in to self, HER. A pleasant diversion, we give this 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

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