06.29.09

Say Cheese!

Mousetrap, Shelley Grund

Monday, June 29, 2009

Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

GOOD, BETTER and BEST found in the entries of GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP (17A. Seven or eight hours, typically), BETTER MOUSE TRAP (35A. Inventor’s goal) and BEST-KEPT SECRETS (52A. They rarely see the light of day) comprise the interrelated entries of this Monday, back-to-work crossword puzzle.

Monday links -- HORSES (43A. Mustangs, e.g.) and RANGE (40A. Where 43-Across run free) are inter-clued; ICE AGE (25D. Freezing period); SOUSE (16A. Drunkard) and the milder TIPSY (59A. A little drunk) -- the puzzle also includes DWI (47A Drunk motorist‘s offense, briefly) and SIP (54D. Not guzzle).

It’s a short week this week -- SMILE (33D. “Say cheese!”)!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

For the complete post, go HERE.