No 13666, Wednesday 21 Sep 2022, Dr. X

Solution to 19D 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   Trying book to tackle anger issues finally (8) TIRESOME {T{IRE}{i...eS}OME}

5   Kid about to taste largely pungent bulb (6) GARLIC {RAG<=}{LICk}

10 Endless confrontation, having knocked back drink in European country (7) BELARUS {B{ALE<=}RUSh}

11 Prohibition during Christmas withdrawn in Middle Eastern country (7) LEBANON {LE{BAN}ON<=}

12 Girl turning down fellow is blunt (5) GRUFF {G}{FUR<=}{F}

13 What conjuror says as the rope levitates magically at last, perhaps (3,6) HEY PRESTO {THE+ROPE+l...eS+m...lY}*

14 Wake up! Get going, like the Sun? (4,3,5) RISE AND SHINE [DD]

18 Company people concealing hard evidence (12) CONFIRMATION {CO}{N{FIRM}ATION}

21 Experiencing difficulties like panic attacks (2,1,6) IN A PICKLE*

23 National party backing gangster in city of Zambia (5) NDOLA {N}{DO}{AL<=}

24 Criminal is arrogant, embodies evil (7) VILLAIN {V{ILL}AIN}

25 Honour ensemble touring city in Spain (7) OURENSE [T]

26 Bit of damage in more primitive steering mechanism (6) RUDDER {RUD{Da...e}ER}

27 Howled as outstanding person backtracked, breaking date (8) ULULATED {LULU<=}{DATE*}

DOWN

1   Proceed after boat's repaired in Caribbean island (6) TOBAGO {GO}<=>{BOAT}*

2   Arrive in bar without date, turn to entice (4,2) ROLL UP {ROd}{PULL<=}

3   Small ornate gift, one incorporating greatly revolutionary decorative techniques (9) SGRAFFITI {S}{GIFT+1}* over {FAR<=}

4   Action of stirring up trouble by foremost among imams irritated ruler (8-6) MISCHIEF-MAKING {MIS{CHIEF}MA*}{KING}

6   Yellow marble rolling out of line (5) AMBER MARBlE*

7   Want model possessing posh, outstanding quality (4,4) LONG SUIT {LONG}{S{U}IT}

8   Disregards racket by Mafia bosses smuggling ecstasy (8) CONDONES {CON}{DON{E}S}

9   Enthralled by pot, plan wild night with English female for messing around (7,3,4) PLAYING THE FOOL {P{LAY}{NIGHT*}{E}{F}OOL}

15 Rascal removing the underclothes naughtily (9) SCOUNDREL UNDERCLOtheS*

16 Pain to control one extremely immature performer (8) ACHIEVER {ACH{1}E}{VERy}

17 Resulted in detective finding bit of evidence in conclusion (8) ENTAILED {EN{TAIL}{Ev...e}D}

19 Musical instrument in my bag (6) ?O?N?T (Addendum - CORNET - {COR}{NET} - See comments)

20 Fancy dope inside stub of cigarette (3,3) FAG END {FA{GEN}D}

22 Frivolous associate in bar getting drug (5) INANE {IN{A}N}{E}

Reference List

Book = TOME, Kid = RAG, Christms = NOEL, Girl = G, Down = FUR, Fellow = F, Company = CO, National = N, Party = DO, Gangster = AL(Capone), Date = D, Small =S, Line = L, Model = SIT, Posh = U, Racket = CON, Ecstasy = E, Pot = POOL, English = E, Female = F, My = COR, Dope = GEN, Associate = A, Drug = E