A Puzzle by duncanjwitham
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The puzzle is available by clicking on the above grid
Duncan returns with another very accomplished and enjoyable puzzle. Thanks to him
Across
1a Member wearing men's clothing (8)
GARMENTS: (Body) member inserted into (wearing) a synonym of men
5a Miserable one quietly avoiding housework (6)
MOPING: Housework/floor cleaning with one abbn. for quietly removed
9a Misjudge speed of bowling? (8)
OVERRATE: Double definition, the second being slightly whimsical if we split the solution 4,4
10a Ale drunk by the German Chancellor? (6)
LEADER: ALE* by German article
12a Loads of newspapers covering firm (9)
PRESSURES: General term for newspapers etc containing firm/definite
13a Lost a saddle cycling (2,3)
AT SEA: A from the clue and something of which a saddle is an example with the last letter cycled to the front
14a Get penalised for broadcast (4)
FIND: Homophone of penalised (financially)
16a Rider upset after second time getting beaten (7)
STIRRED: Abbreviations for Second and Time plus RIDER*
19a Advocates putting wife in films (7)
LAWYERS: Abbreviation for wife inserted into films/tiers
21a Small but vital parts of shoes left out (4)
COGS: Shoes with the abbreviation for Left removed
24a Line-dancing making American love country (5)
CONGO: A type of line dance with the abbreviation for Love replacing one for American
25a Simple church with ambience and place to park behind (4,5)
EASY CHAIR: Abbreviation for CHurch plus ambience/atmosphere follow simple/not difficult. Lovely definition
27a Scrawny kids I'd overlooked as suspects (6)
THINKS: Scrawny/skinny plus k(id)s
28a Outlined sleeping arrangement? (8)
BORDERED: Arrangement/display “in” bed/ sleeping
29a Keeps bearing right and loses one's way (6)
STRAYS: Keeps/remains around the abbreviation for Right
30a When most appropriate, returning very illegal material (8)
ASBESTOS: Two-letter synonym of when, most appropriate/optimum plus a synonym of very reversed
Down
1d Crowds of adults, gutted women not included (6)
GROUPS: A term for adults (5,3) excluding the outer letters of women
2d Swam with fish, bloody enthralling (6)
REELED: (Slippery) fish contained by the colour indicated by bloody
3d Makes money - pots by the sound of it (5)
EARNS: Homophone of pots/ashes holders
4d Did coach tour abroad, elated with 50% off drinks (7)
TUTORED: TOUR* contained by (drinks) elaTED
6d Work can start to get going (9)
OPERATING: (Musical) work plus can/container plus initial letter of get
7d Field during Ashes, ready at the boundaries (8)
INDUSTRY: A preposition meaning during plus ashes/powder plus ReadY
8d Busy lads rang for flower arrangements (8)
GARLANDS: LADS RANG*
11d Wields guns less regularly (4)
USES: gUnS lEsS
15d Vital casting choice to open play featuring Puck? (3,6)
ICE HOCKEY: A synonym of vital follows CHOICE* (casting)
17d At breaking point, son calms down (8)
PLACATES: At from the clue inserted into point/location plus abbreviation for Son
18d Smarter answer kid almost changed (8)
SWANKIER: ANSWER KI(d)*
20d Stop and shoot (4)
STEM: Double definition
21d Swear about cat's habits (7)
CUSTOMS: Swear/blaspheme containing one of the usual cats
22d This might induce corrosion underneath vehicle (6)
CARROT: A vehicle plus corrosion/rust. A lovely definition
23d Bleep rude show's contents for these people? (6)
PRUDES: Nicely hidden and extended definition
26d Gang in custody that smuggles diamonds (5)
CADRE: Custody/protection around the Abbreviation for Diamonds
Really enjoyable with lots of penny drop moments and some chuckles – many thanks to duncanjwitham.
Among the clues I ticked were 19a, 25a, 27a, 1d and 4d.
A lot of penny dropping moments including the definition of my favourite clue: 25a
Thanks to Duncan and Stephen
Superb! A joy from start to finish.
With lots of ticked clues to choose from, my podium selection is 13a, 25a, 7d & 15d.
Many thanks, Duncan.
Enjoyably accompanied by the, but not required, first caffeine of the day. Like Gazza and CS, pennies dropping all over the place.
Smiles for 13a, 25a, 27a, 15d, and 21d.
Thanks Duncan and thanks in advance to Stephen.
I found this rather tricky, but the third cup of java helped me get to the finish.
I liked 5a, 7d, 18d, 21d & 22d — with 21d favourite
Thanks to Duncan
That was an absolute delight to solve. The best collection of very clever but gettable clues that we have seen in a long time.
Many thanks Duncan.
A lovely pre lights out solve. It certainly had the edge over the SPP in my book.
Ticks aplenty – 13,25&30a along with 1,7&22d particular likes.
Many thanks Duncan
A nice mixture – a few write-ins, plenty to give the brain a workout, and some lovely penny-drop moments. Favourite was 25ac.
Thanks, djw and SL.
Thanks everyone for the kind comments and thanks to StephenL for the review.
Saved this up for bedtime last night and enjoyed a good night’s sleep after smiling my way through the grid. I came across three synonyms which induced a ‘hmmm’ (although Stephen has not raised an eyebrow) but the twelve ticked clues overwhelmed any misgivings. I don’t want to limit them with a podium selection, so here they are: 1, 5, 12, 19, 25, 27 & 28 across and 1, 4, 15, 22 & 23 down. I awarded a double tick to 1 down. It’s not often I manage to select the same favourites as Gazza, but I’ve picked so many that the odds were in my favour
Many thanks to duncanjwitham for a highly enjoyable puzzle, and to StephenL for his review.