I am going to go out on a limb and declare this one a Kitten (as opposed to going out on a limb to retrieve a kitten). My two testers got it right off the bat and both said it was a nice, calm trip to the end.
This puzzle was inspired by something I have tried to use to solve countless puzzles, and been wrong. So, figured I, why not finally use it...and I did.
The meta answer is something you might find yourself uncomfortable in.
Thanks to Meg and Cinny who were my experimental group, to the technical support of Joe Ross, and to the forum moderators (Kay, Mark Bob and Peter). What a wonderful group we have.
Kitten ■
Calico
Persian
Puma
Lion
There will be nudges Friday (if needed)
It's Friday!
NUDGES:
Nudge 1] The meta answer is 6 letters long. Don't miss a letter or you will find yourself in something else you might feel uncomfortable in.
Nudge 2] Symmetry, you know how we love symmetry!
Nudge 3] The "dead center" in itself is not much of a help, but taken with its "qualifier"...
Nudge 4] What you need to see is not uncommon in puzzles, but it is uncommon here in that it is ONLY in theme words.
The REVEAL:
The title of the puzzle is "Crowded" and clues 41 and 52 across were designed to evoke the old saying "Two's company and three's a crowd".
Six grid answers, symmetrically placed, have a letter in them repeated three times.
TATTLE = T
HASHISH = H
MIRROR = R
COCOON = O
INNINGS = N
GAGGLE = G
Taken in GRID order it spells the word THRONG, the meta answer
For a more complete discussion and a graphic of the solve please go to: