Across
1 Printout of brave police officer included (4,4) HARD COPY {HARD {COP}Y}
5 Hagar is horrible, keeps glaring (6) GARISH (T)
10 Marital problem — it leaves uneasiness (5) ALARM {MARitAL*}
11 What visitor at doorstep might do // to sound familiar (4,1,4) RING A BELL (DD)
12 Catch ruffian stealing a little rare item in front of fireplace (6,3) HEARTH RUG {HEAR}{TH {Rare}UG}
13 Fool knocks out director in bar! That’s explosive stuff (5) NITRO {NIT}{ROd}
14 Gift, bit indecent, not right (6) LEGACY {LEG}{rACY}
15 Performer starting to sparkle in fancy attire (7) ARTISTE {Sparkle} in {ATTIRE*}
18 Sot staggering in upright stance (7) POSTURE {P{SOT*}URE}
20 Single man overwhelmed by endless sexual desire in Brazilian city (6) ILHEUS {I}{L{HE}USt} Thanks to Google
22 Check a little puncture in wheel (5) REPEL {RE{Puncture}EL}
24 Offensive English boxer starting to nettle in tirade (9) REPUGNANT {R{E}{PUG}{Nettle}ANT}
25 Organiser introduces magician producing bird (9) DOWITCHER {DO{WITCH}ER}
27 Bloodcurdling scream around castle when king’s assassinated (6) CREEPY {CR{kEEP}Y}
28 Caught on ship smuggling cocaine and heroin? It settles the matter conclusively (8) CLINCHER {C}{LIN{C}{H}ER}
Down
1 Husband wears away, crossing hot moorlands (6) HEATHS {H}{EAT{H}S}
2 Comes to construct new sea ark (9) REAWAKENS {NEW+SEA+ARK}*
3 Read sentence till the end and halt abruptly (4,2,1,4,4) COME TO A FULL STOP (DD)
4 Illustrate jetty alongside stream (7) PORTRAY {PORT}{RAY}
6 Contrary to inclination, once more faces pressure to suppress article on Government (7,3,5) AGAINST THE GRAIN {AGAIN}{ST {THE} {G}RAIN}
7 Still not very upset (5) INERT {INvERT}
8 Sacred chamber, outstanding (8) HALLOWED {HALL}{OWED}
9 Brainteaser in game, puzzling (6) ENIGMA {IN+GAME}*
16 Sick queen saved by extraordinary messiah (9) SQUEAMISH {QU} in {MESSIAH*}
17 Irregular activity cut short by associate bringing back detectives (8) SPORADIC {SPORt}{A}{CID<=}
19 Hearty rogue becoming raunchy (6) EARTHY {HEARTY*}
20 Expose rascal backing tall story about Republican (7) IMPERIL {IMP}{LI{R}E<=}
21 Veteran, say, back in lead (6) STAGER {STA{EG<=}R}
23 Most favourite little bird (5) PEWEE {PEt}{WEE}
Reference List
Director=D, Right=R, Single=I, Man=He, English=E, King=K, Caught=C, Cocaine=C, Heroin=H, Husband=H, Hot=H, Article=The, Government=G, Very=V, Queen=Qu, Associate=A, Detectives=CID, Republican=R, Say=E.g.
Colour/Font Scheme
Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Theme word, Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Opposite indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous
20a typo in Anno.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean lust-T is not shown? I dont see any other typo.
DeleteCorrected
DeleteThank you Doc.for the enjoyable workout given.
ReplyDelete14a- leg from bit?
Yes (stage/section).
DeleteHi Paddy. For e.g. In this leg of the journey, we will be seeing the palace.
DeleteSee Chambers.
Thank you Doc.
DeleteI was found wanting. Still in the process of catching up with subtle variations.
A bit uneasy about getting alarm for uneasiness.
ReplyDeleteAlarm is a subset of uneasiness. One is alarmed when one gets the uneasiness "suddenly"
DeleteAlarm: sudden uneasiness.
December!
ReplyDeleteDoes it RING A BELL?
An ALARM?
Let us hope the pandemic does not make the event COME TO A FULL STOP!
The show should continue. REAWAKEN and kindle our interest in the game!
The ENIGMA in some faces as they look at the HARD COPY sitting in an UPRIGHT posture...
The excitement as one wins by a CLINCHER...
And much more!
May it happen yet again!
It did ring a bell!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWelcome back CGB Sir! Your "Seasonal" write-up gives us vivid memories of the event.
DeleteNice one CGB 😀
DeleteNice to hear a seasonal 'Ring' from CGB.
DeleteI like 25AC for the magical act, thanks Doc!
ReplyDeleteThanks KKR 👍
DeleteDoc has been kind today.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know it was easy for you!
Delete10A wondering why doctor didn't use no sex 😉
ReplyDeleteHa ha. Can't have 'it' all the time Ajeesh 😄
DeleteDoctor tried but exhausted (5)
Delete😅
Delete@Doc Congratulations for the century !
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot LV!
DeleteDidn't notice the century. Congrats Satyen
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir!
DeleteGreat Feat Doc! Keep going and entertaining us with your mesmerising puzzles!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Vasant 😀
DeleteCongrats Doctor on your spectacular achievement!
ReplyDeleteGlad LV brought it our attention. Congrats Doc. Looking forward to an equally fast double century.
DeleteSir, I saw it on Facebook :)
DeleteThanks KKR and Paddy 🙏
DeleteDoc - was it actually easy today or have i improved?
ReplyDelete1 small doubt - earthy is raunchy? Didnt know this meaning.
Congrats!!!! 😊
Well done Gowri! Re Earthy. From Chambers.
Deleteearthy
adj
crude, coarse, rude, vulgar, bawdy, rough, ribald, robust, down-to-earth, natural, unsophisticated, uninhibited formal indecorous colloq. raunchy, blue
To be honest, I think the rumours of my crosswords being tough are greatly exaggerated (to partly borrow Mark Twain's quote about his demise 😀). If you want to see what's really tough but fair, I suggest solving a few past grids by xChequer in TH (he is the most knowledgeable setter I know). It is only a matter of getting used to a setter's style. And you are getting used to mine. 😀
I got 100% right. 80% cold - thats a record for me. 😊
ReplyDelete80% cold should definitely be an improvement. Keep it up.
Delete