Where many Stephen King novels are set — NYT Mini Clue (October 22, 2025)
Word Tips taps into literary geography, pointing horror fans to MAINE. Stephen King's deep connection to his home state makes this an instantly recognizable reference for anyone familiar with his work. All apostrophes render as ' and quotation marks as " for clean formatting.
6 Across
Where many Stephen King novels are set
Drop MAINE and hear the distant sound of small-town horror. Word Tips highlights King's favorite setting, from Derry to Castle Rock. The A-E vowel pattern is distinctive, and crossing letters will confirm this literary location.
Crossing Helpers
- 3-Across INNER locks in each letter so MAINE settles into its proper literary place.
- 8-Across BREED locks in each letter so MAINE settles into its proper literary place.
- 2-Down HAPPY locks in each letter so MAINE settles into its proper literary place.
- 5-Down REND locks in each letter so MAINE settles into its proper literary place.
Strategy Notes
Literary Geography
Word Tips reminds us that Stephen King has set numerous novels in Maine, including "The Shining," "It," and "Carrie." It's his signature fictional landscape.
Synonym Check
Think of related locations like New England states or northeastern settings. MAINE stands out as King's most frequently used state.
Alternate Clue
Expect prompts like "Pine Tree State" or "King's home state" — MAINE solves them all with literary authority.
Solve Smart
The M from HAPPY and I from INNER establish the vowel pattern, while N from REND and E from BREED confirm the distinctive letter flow.