Solution to 25A 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
1 Order versatile Grisham’s latest mystery (8) SYMMETRY {g...aM+MYSTERY}*
5 Acclaim pal audaciously rescuing antelope (6) IMPALA [T]
11 Partners gather, working at summit endlessly (3-4) NON-STOP {N}{ON}{S}{TOP}
12 Diabetic in group restricts sugary stuff (5) ICING [T]
13 Flips open containers (9) OVERTURNS {OVERT}{URNS}
14 Dirty dancing with hot belle in venture (5,3,4) BELOW THE BELT {W+HOT+BELLE}* in {BET}
18 Devious scoop about immorality leaving model shaky (12) DISINGENUOUS {DI{SIN}G}{tENUOUS}
21 Brutal truth, disturbing in film (3-6) CUT-THROAT {C{TRUTH*}OAT}
24 Smaller peg, recollecting limit (7) TEENIER {TEE}{REIN<=}
25 Magnificent and most wonderful back massage enthrals associate (7) B?A?U?A (Addendum - BRAVURA {B{RAVe}UR<=}{A)
26 Casual romance on vacation with damsel (6) REMISS {Ro...cE}{MISS}
27 Chaps breaking rule in apartment house (8) TENEMENT {TENE{MEN}T}
DOWN
1 Underside of architectural structure is very strong and sturdy (6) SOFFIT {SO}{F}{FIT}
2 Array of abstract art in compound (6) MATRIX {M{ART*}IX}
3 Enduringly popular revenge novel about woman killing husband (9) EVERGREEN {EV{hER}GREEN*}
4 What tired rower might do to take it easy? (4,2,4,4) REST ON ONES OARS [C&DD]
7 Lawyer needing money might defend rotten criminal (8) ATTORNEY {mA{ROTTEN*}Y}
8 Programme with love scene is suitable (8) APPOSITE {APP}{0}{SITE}
9 Tough stuntman ultimately killed performing incredible stunt (14) INDESTRUCTIBLE {INCREDIBLE+STUnT}*
15 Explain cryptic clue indicators at first meeting (9) ELUCIDATE {CLUE*}{In...s}{DATE}
16 Professor from university in Art Deco building (8) EDUCATOR {U} in {ART+DECO}*
17 Line on weather map in Iceland, different by end of storm (8) ISOTHERM {IS}{OTHER}{s..rM}
19 Drunkard snorting cocaine is inhabitant of Liverpool (6) SCOUSE {S{C}OUSE}
20 Interrogate worker suspiciously (6) ASKANT {ASK}{ANT}
22 Praises lavish spread, finishing off starter of veal (5) HAILS LAvISH*
Reference List
Partners = N,S(North and South in game of Bridge), With = W, Model = T, Club = C, Associate = A, Very = SO, Strong = F, Husband = H, Money = M, University = U, Iceland = IS, Cocaine = C
3D! Yes that's what Dr X grids are! Again inspired to draft a tale piece.
ReplyDeleteIt's built with strength and speed like an IMPALA' said the creator at the party the week before it's maiden voyage. Going on to ELUCIDATE, he said it is designed with great SYMMETRY and perfection to go virtually NON-STOP on long voyages with an INDESTRUCTIBLE SOFFIT.
ReplyDeleteThe audience were thrilled, 'EVERGEREEN hails HAILS onlookers' was the headline next morning. The ICING on the cake to voyagers was it's comfort like a homely TENEMENT on the seas, making it APPOSITE for the most seasick passenger. It's aesthetics and decor featured works of many an artist like MONET.
This greatly impressed David an EDUCATOR and his spouse Jane an ASKANT ATTORNEY. They decided to take the plunge and join the voyage with their daughter Rose. The idea was to get her out of a DISINGENUOUS unsuitable romance with Jack a SCOURSE of modest upbringing which they thought as rather REMISS and not in the FITNESS of things.
Thus begun the voyage of 'The Majestic' with much pomp and BRAVURA. It set out on course following the ISOTHERM as a safe route however met a inglorious end. Encountering sudden rough weather the vessel clashing with a floating iceberg OVERTURNS.
The rest of story is perhaps well known and bears resemblance to an epic filmed in the late nineties. A coincidence that this sounds similar....it's all a MATRIX! The difference is despite the BELOW THE BELT scheming of her parents Rose survived the ordeal and eventually reunited with Jack. A happy ending after all.
Shall I say that we appreciate Dr.X's & Ramesh's tale piece for its Bravura?!
DeleteThanks to both of you for a great start to the week.
Lovely story. Thanks Ramesh 😀
DeleteGreat Story. I think we can forget the original & stick with this happy ending version.
Delete25 a. BRAVURA
ReplyDeleteMassage = Rub, back = Bur
Most wonderful = rav(ishing)
Associate = a
B+RAV+UR+A
Recheck.'Most' is only last letter deletion indicator. Then your solution might get most'wonderful' reviews!
DeleteI think reviews is the synonym and wonderful is only adjective.
DeleteThank you sir for the correction/ guidance
DeleteWaiting for the corrected anno that would get rave reviews
DeleteA minor correction only to HR's anno. In stead of Ravishing,it has to be Rave and as indicated by Doc,if the last letter is removed it becomes RAV.
DeleteB(RAV)UR A
Took the liberty since it is already 12.15 and really it has almost been done.
DeleteEnthrals is the containment indicator.
DeleteThere is an architect here who can enjoy Soffit more than any of us- a new word for me.
ReplyDeleteYes. But for soffits - Michelangelo couldn't have painted such great masterpieces.
DeleteColloquially soffits also refer to ceilings or underside of roofs.
He was so fit - that he could hang upside down to paint the soffits. 😊
DeleteNice puzzle Doc. I made mess with attorney. So missed a few
ReplyDeleteThanks Ajeesh 👍
DeleteLovely puzzle. Couldn't anno attorney but it was biffable. Needed all the checkers for Rest on one's ores, a new one for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vasant 👍
DeleteOres, Vasant?
ReplyDeleteOops😊
Deletesoffit word purely a technical name in civil and structural engg. This word could seen in technical dic. Dr X's grid is too special. Though I had taken a long time, finally ends with many aha moments. due to tight schedule. I solved only 50%. Thnaks Doc. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr Rao.
DeleteI also took 45mins but finished 100% & parsed correctly too.
ReplyDeleteThanx Doc.
Hello there. I have been following this blog for a long time. I sometimes spend 1 hour and sometimes spend forever solving these cryptic crosswords. I have one suggestion. Using your experience, do you mind giving a rating (easy, medium or hard) for each clue, so when we solve it or not able to solve it, we can assess our performance?
ReplyDelete