ACROSS
1 Sizzling tale by model involved in fling — it’s clandestine (8) STEALTHY {S{TALE*}{T}HY}
5 Taking wicket, speaks sharply back and provokes (6) SPAWNS {SPA{W}NS<=}
10 Insolent girl spent earnings causing concern (7) PERTAIN {PERT}{gAIN}
11 Orders to arrest old associate in historical Asian island (7) FORMOSA {FORM{O}S}{A}
12 Make a hash of examination at Centre for bachelor’s degree (5) NOTCH {(-b +e...iNa...n)NOTCH}
13 Fantastic coder cracking perfect system (9) PROCEDURE {P{CODER*}URE}
14 Ordering to speak softly, facing commotion in class (12) COORDINATING {COO}{R{DIN}ATING}
18 Where a film star might be fully informed (2,3,7) IN THE PICTURE [DD]
21 Good crowd in concert beginning to enjoy performance (9) PROGRAMME {PRO{G}{RAM}M}{En..y}
23 Blunder resulting from losing head in panic (5) ERRORtERROR
24 Trampled bag returned contains a little rare rum (7) TRODDEN {T{Rare}{ODD}EN<=}
25 Essentially immoral den near work offering many services (3-4) ONE-STOP {immOral}{NEST}{OP}
26 Leader of battalion fired craftier army camp supplier (6) SUTLER SUbTLER
27 Veil worn by informer following humiliating blunder (8) PRATFALL {P{RAT}{F}ALL}
DOWN
1 Spineless charge to stifle press (6) SUPINE {SU{PIN}E}
2 List of corrections given by scoundrel in time (6) ERRATA {ER{RAT}A}
3 Vile man leaving ditch caught by Holmes in disguise (9) LOATHSOME {L{mOAT}HSOME*}
4 No for President Trump again! Help to change unstable political scenario (4,10) HUNG PARLIAMENT {TRUM(-p+n)N+AGAIN+HELP}*
6 Money to wipe out hint of scandal for good (5) PURSE PUR(-g+s)SE
7 Devilish hound trapped by intellect in mystery novel (8) WHODUNIT {W{HOUND*}IT}
8 Wise man checking rate of progress is very modern (5-3) SPACE-AGE {S{PACE}AGE}
9 What a persistent salesperson aims to get? An opportunity to progress (1,4,2,3,4) A FOOT IN THE DOOR [DD]
15 Union workers interrupting a meet (9) AGREEMENT {A}{GREE{MEN}T}
16 Warring sides about to settle feuds (8) DISPUTES [DIS{PUT}ES*}
17 Stalwart taking nice girl out attracted attention (5,3) STOOD OUT {ST{gOOD}OUT}
19 Plant with edible seed about to decay (6) PROTEA {P{ROT}EA}
20 Line secured by mate leaving a launch (6) PROPEL {Pa{ROPE}L}
22 Manage to get hold of girl band (5) RIDGE {RID{G}E}
Reference List
Model = T, Wicket = W, Girl = G, Old = O, Associate = A, Bachelor = B, Good = G, Rum = ODD, Work = OP, Following = F, Man = M, No = N, President = P
1 Sizzling tale by model involved in fling — it’s clandestine (8) STEALTHY {S{TALE*}{T}HY}
5 Taking wicket, speaks sharply back and provokes (6) SPAWNS {SPA{W}NS<=}
10 Insolent girl spent earnings causing concern (7) PERTAIN {PERT}{
11 Orders to arrest old associate in historical Asian island (7) FORMOSA {FORM{O}S}{A}
12 Make a hash of examination at Centre for bachelor’s degree (5) NOTCH {(-b +
13 Fantastic coder cracking perfect system (9) PROCEDURE {P{CODER*}URE}
14 Ordering to speak softly, facing commotion in class (12) COORDINATING {COO}{R{DIN}ATING}
18 Where a film star might be fully informed (2,3,7) IN THE PICTURE [DD]
21 Good crowd in concert beginning to enjoy performance (9) PROGRAMME {PRO{G}{RAM}M}{E
23 Blunder resulting from losing head in panic (5) ERROR
24 Trampled bag returned contains a little rare rum (7) TRODDEN {T{R
25 Essentially immoral den near work offering many services (3-4) ONE-STOP {
26 Leader of battalion fired craftier army camp supplier (6) SUTLER SU
27 Veil worn by informer following humiliating blunder (8) PRATFALL {P{RAT}{F}ALL}
DOWN
1 Spineless charge to stifle press (6) SUPINE {SU{PIN}E}
2 List of corrections given by scoundrel in time (6) ERRATA {ER{RAT}A}
3 Vile man leaving ditch caught by Holmes in disguise (9) LOATHSOME {L{
4 No for President Trump again! Help to change unstable political scenario (4,10) HUNG PARLIAMENT {TRUM(-p+n)N+AGAIN+HELP}*
6 Money to wipe out hint of scandal for good (5) PURSE PUR(-g+s)SE
7 Devilish hound trapped by intellect in mystery novel (8) WHODUNIT {W{HOUND*}IT}
8 Wise man checking rate of progress is very modern (5-3) SPACE-AGE {S{PACE}AGE}
9 What a persistent salesperson aims to get? An opportunity to progress (1,4,2,3,4) A FOOT IN THE DOOR [DD]
15 Union workers interrupting a meet (9) AGREEMENT {A}{GREE{MEN}T}
16 Warring sides about to settle feuds (8) DISPUTES [DIS{PUT}ES*}
17 Stalwart taking nice girl out attracted attention (5,3) STOOD OUT {ST{
19 Plant with edible seed about to decay (6) PROTEA {P{ROT}EA}
22 Manage to get hold of girl band (5) RIDGE {RID{G}E}
Reference List
Model = T, Wicket = W, Girl = G, Old = O, Associate = A, Bachelor = B, Good = G, Rum = ODD, Work = OP, Following = F, Man = M, No = N, President = P
A top NOTCH one from Dr.X. Cracking this was more exciting than reading a WHODUNIT. HUNG PARLIAMENT STOOD OUT as the clue of the day. At last, getting SUTLER from "subtler' prevented a PRATFALL of not completing the grid. No DISPUTES, solving this PROPELS one into a SPACEAGE high.
ReplyDeleteWow! Fitting brief for a fighting grid! Thanks Doc and RKE!
Delete🙏🙏
DeleteThank you Doctors!
DeleteVery well written. Thanks!
DeleteFor me, this is on tough side. Crossings helped in many clues and cracked
ReplyDeleteWell done Sir!
Delete26A sutler was a new word for me. Pleased to have got the rest. Thank you, Dr X for another enjoyable puzzle!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amita :)
Delete4d was the perfect puzzle which shows the reality of US parliament. Doctor's timely puzzle.
ReplyDeleteWHODUNIT was a favorite one for Anon as well as Dr.X and we too......Nice Dr. have a Gr8 day
Thanks and same to you. Have a nice day Mr Rao.
DeleteWife & husband abandoned ? Girl is the pearl of this grid. As usual, amazed at the possibility of a HUNG PARLIAME NT.
ReplyDeleteA FOOT IN THE DOOR reminded me
Of the door to door beggarswhen they put their foot in the door so adroitly as one unwittingly opened the door. So obdurate and persuasive would they be,unless one parted to give them something .Worse than a salesman ! Looking forward to another one tomorrow, with a BOY ? Thanks Doc, for a intricate grid, a large AFTERDARK !
DeleteThanks Raju. Yes, hung parliament was my personal favourite too...but looks like Trump might get another term presently. Groan!
KKR garu,SOS ! I have lost all my contact numbers in my smartphone,when I wanted to create space by clearing the clutter. I am marooned ! Please send me your contact numbers urgently to my number 999 485 6381 ,& 999 484 6247 ( wife's) so that we can be in touch. That goon at the shop has goofed up ! Thanks
DeleteMy stock of Sunday specials is over. Those interested may please send in their Crosswords for publication in the Sunday specials
ReplyDeleteI meant a - la- AFTERDARK. Darn the autocorrect.
ReplyDeleteDid the puzzle late in the evening here. Loved Hung Parliament, Foot in the Door among other clues. Got Sutler thanks to the generous WP. Pratfall was the last to fall 😉
ReplyDeleteThanks Dr. X.
Thanks Vasant. Glad you enjoyed :)
Delete