Times Quick Cryptic No 1912 by Izetti

Introduction

3:30 or so. Unfortunately my timer had a glitch so I didn’t get an exact time.

Solutions

A brief summary of cryptic crosswords —feel free to skip— :

• Each clue has at least one “definition”: an unbroken string of words which more-or-less straightforwardly indicates the answer. A definition can be as simple as a one-word synonym; but it can also be a descriptive phrase like ‘I’m used to wind’ for REEL or SPOOL. A definition by example must be indicated by a phrase like ‘for example’, or, more commonly, a question mark (?). Thus ‘color’ is a definition of RED, while ‘red, for example’ or ‘red?’ are definitions of COLOR. Punctuation is otherwise irrelevant. Proper nouns will appear capitalized, but otherwise capitalization is irrelevant as well.
• Each clue may also have an unbroken string of words which indicates the answer through wordplay, such as: using abbreviations; reversing the order of letters; indicating particular letters (first, last, outer, middle, every other, etc); placing words inside other words; rearranging letters (anagrams); replacing words by words that sound alike (homophones); and combinations of the above. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but the general theme is to reinterpret ordinary words as referring to letters, so that for example ‘lion’s head’ indicates the first letter of LION: namely, L.
• Definitions and wordplay cannot overlap. The only other words allowed in clues are linking words or phrases that combine these. Thus we may see, for example: “(definition) gives (wordplay)” or “(definition) and (definition)” or “(wordplay) is (definition)”.
• The most common clues have either two definitions, or one definition plus wordplay, in either order. But a single, very misleading definition is not uncommon, and very occasionally a definition can also be interpreted as wordplay leading to the same answer. Triple definitions (and more) are also possible.

My conventions in the solutions below are to underline definitions (including a defining phrase); put linking words in [brackets]; and put all wordplay indicators in boldface. I also use a solidus (/) to help break up the clue where necessary, especially for double definitions without linking words.

After the solutions, I list all the wordplay indicators and abbreviations in a Glossary.

Across

1   Cheat who may be responsible for a bad deal (4,5)
CARD SHARP = cryptic definition

6   What’s provided in lunch and tea (3)
CHA = hidden in LUNCH AND

8   Old country club by Yorkshire river (7)
MACEDON = MACE + DON

9   Artist, one allegedly blind, [in] the capital (5)
RABAT = R.A. + BAT

10   They may arrange accommodation at large non-English events abroad (6,6)
TRAVEL AGENTS = AT + LARGE without E + EVENTS anagrammed

12   Giving drug to pet? / What’s wrong in that? (6)
DOSING = DOG around SIN

13   Some fanatical vindictive churchman of yesteryear (6)
CALVIN = hidden in FANATICAL VINDICTIVE

16   Discerning / what an optician could help you to be (5-7)
CLEAR-SIGHTED = double definition

19   Assume exercise will be needed after a party (5)
ADOPT = P.T. after A + DO

20   Returning / minister taken in by American dishonesty? (7)
KNAVERY = reversal of REV in YANK

22   I’m scared [and] keep looking round endlessly (3)
EEK = KEEP without last letter, reversed

23   Unhappy journalists participating in action (9)
DEPRESSED = PRESS in DEED

Down

1   Arrive [with] funny performer half cut (4)
COME = COMEDIAN without the second half

2   Puts down on paper / remarkable sporting achievements? (7)
RECORDS = double definition

3   The German, / upset [and] miserable (3)
SAD = DAS (‘the’, in German) reversed

4   Landor could be an English poet (6)
ARNOLD = LANDOR anagrammed

5   Piece of text [provided by] soldier with diagram (9)
PARAGRAPH = PARA + GRAPH

6   Second man to entertain bishop [in] small room? (5)
CABIN = CAIN around B

7   Skilled worker [is] prejudiced, first to come out (7)
ARTISAN = PARTISAN without first letter

11   Respected veteran, unusual / person working on paper? (9)
VENERATED = VETERAN anagrammed + ED

12   Passing a month with effortlessness (7)
DECEASE = DEC + EASE

14   Spectators, mostly very wise, somehow (7)
VIEWERS = VERY without last letter + WISE anagrammed

15   Get better sort of truck (4-2)
PICK-UP = PICK UP

17   Publication [with] nothing to be / taken the wrong way, / all right? (1-4)
E-BOOK = O + BE reversed + OK

18   Composer[’s] lark, for example, heard (4)
BYRD = homophone of BIRD

21   Argue on and off [for] years? (3)
AGE = every other letter in ARGUE

Glossary

Wordplay indicators

Abbreviations and little bits