Solving time: 53:20
I solved most of this quite quickly, but came unstuck in the NE, and that took me an age to untangle.
Some good clues here - 19d was a good spot by the setter, also the notes in 10a and the substitution in 12a.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (--)*, and removalslike this
I solved most of this quite quickly, but came unstuck in the NE, and that took me an age to untangle.
Some good clues here - 19d was a good spot by the setter, also the notes in 10a and the substitution in 12a.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (--)*, and removals
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | HORSEWHIP = (HIRE SHOP)* about W |
| 6 | GU(PP)Y |
| 9 | SUGAR - rev hidden |
| 10 | |
| 11 | TENT PEG - cd |
| 12 | MIDWIFE = MID-LIFE with L replaced by W |
| 13 | THE BUTLER DID IT - cd |
| 17 | SAVED BY THE BELL - cd |
| 21 | IN UTERO - hidden |
| 23 | ROT + A + TOR |
| 25 | AFTERGLOW = (OR WET FLAG)* |
| 26 | CU + BAN |
| 27 | AUDIT - I'm not sure where the 'for cooking, say' comes in - is it just a cd? |
| 28 | TURN LOOSE = (OR NO LET US)* |
| Down | |
| 1 | HESITATE = SIT (to meet) in HEATE |
| 2 | REGAN = |
| 3 | ENRAPTURE = |
| 4 | HAIR GEL = (RALEIGH)* |
| 5 | PROMMER = PRIMMER with I replaced by O |
| 6 | GRAN'D |
| 7 | P(RIM)IT + I'VE |
| 8 | YANKEE - dd |
| 14 | EVACUATED = TAU in DEC + AVE all rev |
| 15 | IDENTICAL = DENT in II (two) + CAL |
| 16 | FLORENCE = LOR |
| 18 | BOOK + LET |
| 19 | TURF WAR = RAW FRU |
| 20 | CI(CAD)A |
| 22 | EGRET - becomes GREET if the opening E is moved to the middle |
| 24 | TAB + O + O |