Puzzle Notes

Hey there, friends! I hope you all solved yesterday's AVCX Classic puzzle, because it's a banger. And I hope you'll agree that today's cryptic from Stella Zawistowski makes two bangers in a row!

Stella, incidentally, has a new book out: "Tough as Nails Crosswords," a collection of 72 hard themeless puzzles, featuring the best of her blog alongside 18 brand-new puzzles exclusive to the book. (And I was the editor for the project, so you can rest assured that every single "RuPaul's Drag Race" reference was lovingly preserved.) You can pick it up at the usual online suspects -- Amazon, B&N -- or in person wherever bookstores still exist.

See you in two weeks! Cheers --

-- Francis (and the AVCX Cryptic crew)