Puzzle Notes

Dear solvers,

Happy New Year! It gives us so much joy to know that 2025 will be another year of AVCX Cryptics. The first one of the year comes from Kevin Stuart and is edited by Nate Cardin. In Kevin's own words:

I'm Kevin Stuart! I grew up and live in California. I've been into wordplay and puzzles since I was a kid. I fell in love with cryptics when I turned 17, posting and receiving feedback to individual clues online. Now at 23, I'm stoked to present you this full puzzle. Happy 2025!

You can solve Kevin's puzzle online, but we crypticians are never not going to recommend the old-school paper solve for the unique experience that is savoring a cryptic. However you choose to solve, we hope you enjoy the puzzle!

Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy New Year,
The AVCX Cryptic team