ACROSS
7 Appearance on behalf of mother ending in fight (6) FORMAT {FOR}{MA}{
8 Biting, cut close to bone (6) SEVERE {SEVER}{
10 Male needing place to retire with suitable companion (8) HELPMEET {HE}{PL<=}{MEET}
11 Musician's appeal reflected in burning passion (6) LUTIST {LU{IT<=}ST}
12 Racing boat out of yard and harbour in operation (5) YACHT {Y}{AC{H}T}
14 Alert when explosive fuel trails vehicle (7) CAREFUL {CAR}{FUEL*}
15 Novel to follow the timeless touch, entirely from fantasy (3,2,5,5) OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH {TO+FOLLOW+THE+
18 Merciful chapter before sanction to quarter soldiers (7) CLEMENT {C}{LE{MEN}T}
19 Month to live perhaps (5) MAYBE {MAY}{BE}
20 Mica so used in tile pattern (6) MOSAIC*
21 Kept away from top due to imbecile (5,3) OPTED OUT*
23 King wearing an allowed ornament (6) ANKLET {AN}{K}{LET}
24 About to consider buy back (6) REDEEM {RE}{DEEM}
DOWN
1 Expression of deference unfortunately true of anybody without guts (5,3) AFTER YOU {TRUE+OF+A
2 Good to have rent control (4) GRIP {G}{RIP}
3 Overdue book lying hidden (6) LATENT {LATE}{NT}
4 Left in charge, independent say, to act as one may wish (4,4) FEEL FREE {FEE}{L}{FREE}
5 Extremities associated with once the greatest fundamental weakness? (4,2,4) FEET OF CLAY {FEET}{OF}{CLAY}
6 Wives selectively employing craft (6) VESSEL [T]
9 Executive remuneration showing high cost, then over to pink slips? (5,6) STOCK OPTION {COST}*{O+TO+PINK}*
13 Shut up before nasty son comes to show solidarity (5,5) CLOSE RANKS {CLOSE}{RANK}{S}
16 Poor women gagged (8) WRETCHED {W}{RETCHED}
17 Myth demolished about basis of entertainment with 'Silent Movie' (3,5) THE MUMMY {TH{E
18 Church getting vocal about group singing (6) CHORAL {CH}{ORAL}
19 Protection for hand, but struck head off (6) MITTEN
22 Deserts line in battle (4) DUEL {DUE}{L}
Reference List
Place = PL, Appeal = IT, Yard = Y, Harbour = H, Time = T, Chapter = C, King = K, About = RE, Good = G, Book = NT(New Testament), Son = S, Women = W, Church = CH, Line = L
GRID
Brilliant puzzle. A tad easier for Xchequer's standards but with the same high quality.
ReplyDelete+2
Delete+1
Delete+3
Delete+1
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday Specials kitty is empty. Those interested please send in your CW's for publication.
ReplyDeleteTime for Doppelganger to unleash his puzzles,.
DeleteLovely puzzle - thoroughly enjoyed solving it. Thanks for the fun Xchequer :)
ReplyDeleteYes, a tad easier for his standards, but more enjoyable and no sour grapes!
ReplyDeleteFEET OF CLAY found in the last 1ACross puzzle ! Coincidence ? EXchequer is also a participant there . But his clueing is different from that.
ReplyDeleteWas wondering where I saw this recently, Raju. Thanks for the info.
DeleteAnd XChequer's puzzle must have been composed a lot earlier as also Avtaar's. But both clued Ali=Greatest=Clay
Delete