A Puzzle by Starhorse
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The puzzle is available by clicking on the above grid.
Starhorse provides this week's NTSPP. A lovely puzzle.
Across
1a Fallacies and lies sound contrived (9)
DELUSIONS: Anagram (contrived) of the preceding two words
6a Entrance of tea room (5)
CHARM: The usual informal tea plus an abbreviation for RooM.
9a Cattle drive takes place here in the outskirts of Santander (5)
STEER: Topical as The Masters is taking place at the moment, not that I'm a golf fan. We need a place where a drive, as in a golf shot, takes place in the outer letters of SantandeR
10a Exploits English accountant in a suit (9)
ESCAPADES: The abbreviation for English and a suit in cards into which is inserted an abbreviated chartered accountant
11a Singer impressed by motet's first quaver (7)
TREMBLE: A singing voice into which is inserted the initial letter of Motet
12a A-Z for landlords? (7)
LETTERS: Cryptic/double definition
13a Benefactor's in hospital, right hip's broken - bring in books (14)
PHILANTHROPIST: Anagram (broken) of HOSPITAL R(ight) and HIP into which is inserted some abbreviated biblical books.
17a They may expel shamed sisters deviously hiding drug (14)
HEADMISTRESSES: Anagram (deviously) of the preceding two words into which is inserted the abbreviation for Ecstacy.
21a Causes trouble when the final curtain falls? (5,2)
PLAYS UP: Cryptic definition based on a possible expression to indicate what typically takes place in a theatre has finished
23a Confirm time, everyday (7)
AVERAGE: Synonyms of confirm or assert plus time
25a Auctioneer, short of energy, turned to drink (9)
COINTREAU: Remove the abbreviation for Energy from the first word and anagram (turned) what remains
26a Social event in shed is cool (5)
DISCO: Hidden (in)
27a Drops of liquid carried by ship (5)
SINKS: Some writing fluid inside the usual abbreviated steamship
28a Lead weapon thrown by Principal (9)
SPEARHEAD: A pointed weapon that's thrown plus a synonym of principal
Down
1d Computers: place upside-down under office furniture (8)
DESKTOPS: A synonym of place as noun reversed below a piece of office furniture
2d Subject, for example, in fiction (5)
LIEGE: An abbreviated “for example” inside an untruth
3d Southern vineyard with flat uncultivated area (9)
SCRUBLAND: A charade of the abbreviation for Southern, a French vineyard and a synonym of flat or uninteresting
4d Indulge public with each filling (7)
OVEREAT: A synonym of public or unhidden into which is inserted (filling) an abbreviated EAch.
5d Lay clause to be revised by March 3rd (7)
SECULAR: Anagram of CLAUSE plus the third letter of MaRch.
6d Head's smashed - change of leader needed (5)
CAPUT: A synonym of smashed or broken with the first letter changed to give a technical word for the head
7d Postmen need these extremely absurd clothes (9)
ADDRESSES: The outer letters (extremely) of AbsurD plus some female clothes
8d Think about one's unsuitable application (6)
MISUSE: Think about or ponder around the the letter that looks like the number one plus S from the clue
14d Unmarried couple share software update (9)
ITERATION: An informal name for a couple less the abbreviation for Married and a share or portion
15d Claimant yet to make a bid? (9)
PRETENDER: Split 3-6 this could mean “yet to make a bid” or offer
16d High-flying rock star, shot with ecstacy, often in drag at the front (8)
ASTEROID: Anagram (shot) of STAR and the abbreviation for Ecstasy (repetition radar bleeped!) plus the initial letters of the following three words
18d Knock out in one minute with iron (7)
IMPRESS: The letter that looks like the number one (as used in 8d!) the abbreviation for Minute and a synonym of iron or smooth.
19d Misrepresent peace agreement blocked by a Duke (7)
TRADUCE: A temporary pause in battle maybe around (blocked by) A & D(uke)
20d They help see 1,000 embedded tiny pieces (6)
SPECKS: An informal word for some visual aids around a single-letter abbreviation for one thousand.
22d Places to meet Jews regularly (5)
SITES: A synonym of meet plus the regular letters of jEwS
24d Passage where I will briefly be heard (5)
AISLE: Homophone of a contracted “I will”
It didn’t take long to solve, but I really enjoyed this late afternoon entertainment
Many thanks to Starhorse and, in advance, to SL
A very enjoyable puzzle – many thanks to Starhorse.
Ticks from me for 9a, 4d, 14d and 15d.
What a shame that such a lovely puzzle should be published while the site gremlins are playing up. It was light and fun with smooth surfaces throughout and lots of ticks. I’ll just mention the two long anagrams plus 6a, 14a, 15a & 16a.
Many thanks to Starhorse and in advance to SL.
Whoops. That’s supposed to say 14d, 15d & 16d.
Very enjoyable NTSPP earning masses of ticks – 6,9,21&28a plus 2&3d stood out for me.
Many thanks to Starhorse.
Ho hum – looks as though I’ll have to fill in all of my details again…………..
Sadly, with my current understanding of how the blog works, the choice is evidently between a 503 error or filling in details for each comment (or having the browser remember them for one-click insertion).
I tick the little box that says ‘save my name, email and website etc’ – is there something else I should be doing?
Thank you Starhorse, very enjoyable but we took longer solving the bottom half than the top half. Favourites are10a and 5d. We look forward to your next one. Thanks also to SL and to
Mr K for his ‘behind the scenes’ work.
An enjoyable solve for us with top pick and last to get sorted being 14d.
Thanks Starhorse.
Belated thanks Starhorse, and SL for review – “a lovely puzzle” indeed. Faves include 6a, 17a, 21a, 3d & 7d. Thanks again!
A lovely puzzle to end the day and then finish off with my morning cuppa. Plenty of cunning ruses to be found – makes me wonder if Shorerats was a collaborator in compiling this…? 6d was a new word for me, but I note that the plural is very widely used. My favourites don’t overlap much with prior commentators, being 6a, 10a and 20d – just shows what a good puzzle it was to have so many different selections.
My thanks to Starhorse and StephenL.
PS On revisiting, I just noticed the hint for 20d needs a bit of a tweak – it is a different representation of 1,000 to the one proposed…
I’ve tweaked that now, thanks
As others have said, most enjoyable. Thanks, Starhorse and SL.
Morning everyone (or evening 2 Kiwis)
I tried to pop in yesterday afternoon but it seems the ghost of Shorerats past had hit the system….. Many thanks for the review Stephen and for the appreciative feedback from all. More to follow later in the year hopefully.
An excellent puzzle, Starhorse. Well done.
More like this, please!
Thank you, Stephen L for the blog.
Many thanks for the review, Stephen. I do hope that Starhorse brings us another puzzle ‘ere long.
Thanks for the thanks Jane and so do I !
Many thanks for a wonderful puzzle, Starhorse, most enjoyable.
Only just got round to this. Lovely puzzle.
Thanks to Starhorse & to Stephen