No 13382, Thursday 21 Oct 2021, Hypatia

Solution to 18A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

7   Trouble from Bond’s boss, say? (8) MISCHIEF {M IS CHIEF}

9   Distrustful of doctor / nurse getting united (6) UNSURE {UNS{U}RE*}

10 Tip off white queen on board (4) WARN {WA{R}N}

11 Dogs in Spooner’s dried grass fields (10) GREYHOUNDS (~ hay grounds)

12 Top dog Djokovic tormented somewhat (6) VICTOR [T]

14 Change broom used after killing black rodent (8) DORMOUSE {bROOM+USED}*

15 An Arab may sway with that dance (13) BHARATANATYAM {AN+ARAB+MAY+THAT}*

18 On the counter, left key in man’s cups (8) ?R?P?I?S (Addendum - TROPHIES {PORT<=}{H{I}ES} - See comments)

20 Hindus, even in difficulty need this God (6) VISHNU {VISHNU+NEED}* = {HINDUS+EVEN}* [CA]

21 A violent criminal smuggling gold back for assessment (10) EVALUATION {A+VIOLENT}* over {AU<=}

22 Contains alcohol securely kept, basically (4) CASK Acrostic &lit

23 Advertisement covering new player’s pitch (6) PLUNGE {PLU{N}G}{E}

24 Poured last drop of champagne and wine after performance (8) SHOWERED {c...nE}{RED}<=>{SHOW}

DOWN

1   By controlling temperature, doctor includes hot diet supplement (7,1) VITAMIN B {VI{T}A}{M{IN}B}

2   Hero starting to climb into top position from below (4) ICON {Cl..b} in {NO 1}<=

3   Say, Sanjay Subrahmanyan reigns in performance (6) SINGER*

4   Touring University, desperately hope carriage returns for transport (8) EUPHORIA {E{U}PHO*}{AIR<=}

5   Send PMs with you switching handles (10) PSEUDONYMS {SEND+PMS+YOU}*

6   Exchanges outbursts after sacking one (6) TRADES TiRADES

8   Revealing comments of followers interrupted by terribly rude author’s mouthpieces (8,5) FREUDIAN SLIPS {F{RUDE*}{I}ANS}{LIPS}

13 Assemble more pliant fixture for kids to bounce on (10) TRAMPOLINE*

16 Excited by notice outside soldier’s gallery (8) AGITATED {A{GI}{TATE}D}

17 Guy recruiting hot secretary (8) MINISTER {M{IN}ISTER}

19 Abuse troops capturing base (6) REVILE {R{EVIL}E}

20 Sarod never returned to store dealer (6) VENDOR [T<=]

22 Bite food converting oxygen to energy (4) CHEW CH(-o+e)EW

Reference List

Bond's Boss = M, United = U, Queen = R, Black = B, Key = E, Gold = AU, New = N, Player = E(East in Bridge), Wine = RED, Temperature = T, Hot = IN, University = U, Carriage = AIR, Notice = AD, Soldier = GI, Gallery = TATE, Troops = RE(Royal Engineers), Energy = E