Solving time: 28:12
That's two sub-30 minute times on the trot for me, so I'm to get worried about what Dean might have in store for next week!
I started with 1a, but I quickly turned my attention to the four long ones and had them all within a few minutes. I didn't know TONKA BEAN, SCUP or the names of HM's corgis, but none of these held me up particularly.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (--)*, and removalslike this
That's two sub-30 minute times on the trot for me, so I'm to get worried about what Dean might have in store for next week!
I started with 1a, but I quickly turned my attention to the four long ones and had them all within a few minutes. I didn't know TONKA BEAN, SCUP or the names of HM's corgis, but none of these held me up particularly.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (--)*, and removals
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | SIT + |
| 3 | RECEPTACLE = (TREACLE)* about CEP (fungus - a crossword stalwart) |
| 10 | RA(N)GE |
| 11 | THESAURUS - cd |
| 12 | AGATHA CHRISTIE = A (American) + CHRISTIE (serial killer) about GAT (gun) + H (house) + A - John Christie was the British serial killer portrayed by Richard Attenborough in the film 10 Rillington Place. A film I spotted on TV just this last week. |
| 14 | PLEAS + ED |
| 15 | W + HOPPER - a big lie, hence the reference to TRUTH SERUM at 13d |
| 17 | |
| 19 | RARE + BIT |
| 20 | AS THE CROW FLIES = (WELSH FACTORIES)* |
| 23 | COMPLAINT = COMPLIANT with the AI rev - An Ai being a type of Brazilian three-toed sloth |
| 24 | ETHER = (THREE)* - the best surface of the day, and my COD |
| 25 | PLEASANTRY = LEAS |
| 26 | C + RAM - a ram being something that buts, i.e. a butter. |
| Down | |
| 1 | SERIAL PORT = "CEREAL" + PORT (left) - 'where mouse might once have gone' may have been better. The last mouse I had that attached to a serial port was about 10 years ago. |
| 2 | TONKA BEAN = (BANKNOTE)* about A - I've never heard of the tree, but it was all I could make out of the letters. |
| 4 | ENTICED = ENT (hospital department - an old chestnut) + DICE with the D moved to the end |
| 5 | EYEBROW - cd |
| 6 | TRANSMOGRIFIED = (I/I + FED ARMSTRONG)* - I wasn't entirely sure about 'stuff' as an anagrind, though |
| 7 | CORGI - cd - The names of two of the Queen's dogs. I didn't know this particular fact but it wasn't difficult to guess. |
| 8 | EASE = "E'S" (with apologies for the greengrocer's apostrophe) |
| 9 | MEPHISTOPHELES = (THE HOPELESS MP)* about I |
| 13 | TRUTH SERUM - cd - 'pork pies' being CRS for lies |
| 16 | PUBLISHER = PUSHER (dealer of drugs) about (B |
| 18 | F + ACTION |
| 19 | ROOSTER - hidden |
| 21 | |
| 22 | S + CUP - another word I didn't know, but the wordplay left little doubt. |