2549: Obscurity – solution

PALE FIRE is a novel by Vladimir NABOKOV (18). Synonyms of words in the novel’s title are 7, 15A, and 28, 36. Surnames of characters are KINBOTE (27), the components of which are defined by 21 and 37, and SHADE (1A), which is defined by 30 and also indicates how to treat the concealed title.

First prize Frances Wood, Burnham Market, Norfolk

Runners-up Robin Simpson, Shincliffe, Durham; Hilda Ball, Belfast