Solving time: 44:32
Not too difficult by Dean’s standards, but no less enjoyable for it. Plenty of excellent surface readings, and clever wordplay.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this
Across | |
---|---|
1 | TOP-SHELF = (HELPS TO)* + F |
6 | BYPASS = B |
9 | MILIEU = (I + LIE) in MU |
10 | OK CORRAL = ROCK rev in ORAL (said) |
11 | OSTEOPATHY = (TO PAY THOSE)* – A neat clue |
12 | M + ACE |
13 | DOUBLE-SPACED = (S P A D E COULD BE)* – &lit |
17 | WITHOUT A CLUE – cd – A 1988 movie starring Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley |
19 | WHEE |
20 | A BON MARCHE = ON MARCH (demonstrating) in ABE (Lincoln) – translates from French as ‘a good deal’. |
22 | IN THE ACT = INTACT (perfect) about HE (ambassador) |
23 | REMOVE – dd |
24 | SYSTEM = S |
25 | MINIS + TRY |
Down | |
2 | O + MISSION (ministry) |
3 | SPIKE – dd – (lace, as in add something to covertly, particularly alcohol) |
4 | EQUIPMENT = QUIP + MEN all in ET |
5 | FROM TOP TO BOTTOM – cd |
6 | B(ACC)Y |
7 | PARAMEDIC = (ADAM PRICE)* |
8 | S + NATCH |
14 | BOWLER HAT = W in (A BROTHEL)* |
15 | C(A TAMAR)AN |
16 | PUSHOVER – a ‘wordplay in solution’ type clue. GULP = PLUG (push, as in advertise) rev |
18 | SHAN’T + Y |
20 | ALAR + M |
21 | R + EMU’S – along with his brother Romulus, one of the founders of Rome, according to the legend. |
I definitely never heard of the film at 17ac but worked it out. I was pleased to remember A BON MARCHE which caused me so much distress a few weeks back.
Edited at 2014-03-02 12:47 pm (UTC)