Solution to 13A 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 True, one is missing peace and freedom... (7) RELEASE {REaL}{EASE}
5 ..save partner (7) HUSBAND [DD]
9 Assured criminal flinched as per report (9) CONVINCED {CON}{(~winced)VINCED}
10 Steal primarily expensive, superb costumes (5) ROBES {ROB}{Ex...e}{Su...b}
11 Unfair and imperfect... (7) PARTIAL [DD]
12 ...southern man with everyone wasted half beer becoming meaner (7) SMALLER {S}{M}{ALL}{beER}
13 Dishonest ruler almost eviscerated dynasty (5) S?A?Y (Addendum - {SHAh}{Dy...tY} - See comments)
15 Being old lover is distraught, so to speak (9) EXISTENCE {EX}{IS}{(~tense)TENCE}
17 Cool drink brand with thrust as per report, sensational (9) FANTASTIC {FANTA}{(~stick}STIC}
19 Musical work over ages... (5) OPERA {OP}{ERA}
21 ...been around girl in hourly productions (7) ROUGHLY {ROU{G}HLY*}
23 English politician with hesitation takes gold of king (7) EMPEROR {E}{MP}{ER}{OR}
25 Lender in Dayun clearly hoarding (5) UNCLE [T]
26 Paying attention to record, ending with taking out date (9) LISTENING {LIST}{ENdING}
27 Call and speak to... (7) ADDRESS [DD]
28 ...person under doubt on damaging space-suit, the best is missing (7) SUSPECT {SPaCE+SUiT}*
DOWN
1 Instructions are precise? It's all over the place (7) RECIPES*
2 Mad man kills jerk, primarily relating to moon (5) LUNAR {LUNAtic}{Re...g}
3 Sharpness, if boy and girl are swapped can become competence (7) ABILITY A(-g+b)BILITY
4 Once jail department was first-class (9) EXCELLENT {EX}{CELL}{ENT}
5 Conceals husband's papers with evilness heartlessly... (5) HIDES {H}{ID}{Ev...eS}
6 ...with crooked veteran's (lacking empathy primarily) help (7) SERVANT VETeRANS*
7 Vehicle at ambush can't keep quiet carrying a weapon (9) AMBULANCE {AMBUsh}{LANCE}
8 Be worthy of daughter, last wife, get present (7) DESERVE {D}{wifE}{SERVE}
14 Reported that jittery nun in canoe capsized and died (9) ANNOUNCED {NUN+CANOE}*{D}
16 Popular line, leading song proliferates (9) INCREASES {IN}{CREASE}{Song}
17 Restless, four am and lady enters. That's the way (7) FORMULA {FOUR+AM}* over {L}
18 Maybe have ice, finish (7) ACHIEVE*
19 Work on media, harass (7) OPPRESS {OP}{PRESS}
20 Mostly everyone has privilege. OK? (7) ALRIGHT {ALl}{RIGHT}
22 Last deputy speaks when leader is absent, shouts (5) YELLS {d...tY}{tELLS}
24 Go up carrying adult in lift (5) RAISE {R{A}ISE}
Reference List
Southern = S, Man = M, Old lover = EX, Work = OP, Girl = G, English = E, Politician = MP, Date = D, Best = A1, Girl =G, Boy = B, Department = ENT, Husband = H, Papers = ID, Quiet = SH, Daughter = D, Died = D, Popular = IN, Lady = L, Adult = A
AD felt like icognito today.
ReplyDeleteExcept for 28a where ace was staring at me for the best.
+1. Unusually fast and straight for me for Afterdark CW.
Delete13 A Shady Ruler "Sha" h Eviscerated dunasty "dy"
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete@Prasad - I had a small doubt yday. Posted last night. Can u clarify?
ReplyDeleteThanx.
No clue. I gen answer as soon as I see it if I have an answer.
ReplyDeleteThank u... 🙏
ReplyDelete21A. Have a doubt. How does "roughly" mean "been around", which was far as I know indicates experience. Request one of the experts clarify. Thanks
ReplyDeleteAgree with you. Around can mean roughly, but then why 'been'?
ReplyDeletePrecisely. "Around girl in hourly productions" would have been perfect, I thought.
DeleteSurface reading does not mean anything.
DeleteBeing linked clue, been is to be treated as just link word. Though i prefer has been.
Deletehttps://www.crosswordunclued.com/2010/05/ellipsis-linked-clues.html
DeleteThough ellipses are there, I find no link between the clues.
Delete14d Doubt
ReplyDeleteWith two Anagram Indicators (jittery and capsized) and 'in' as Container, shouldn't letters of nun be continuosly present in the answer?
+1. Fully agree.
DeleteIts not a single anagram as indicated by col.
And anagram in anagram doesnt work out.
thoroughly enjoyed the grid. esp. SMALLER,EXCELLENT,EMPEROR. Thank you After Dark.
ReplyDeleteI have a small doubt.
ReplyDelete5ac - partner is Husband. But save?
How is this dd?
Just Googled. As a verb 'husband' means use cautiously and frugally ie save
DeleteThanx. That is new to me.
DeleteEasy as already mentioned by everyone.
ReplyDeleteMy cods - CONVINCED, FANTASTIC, SUSPECT.
Thanx AD.
I liked the charade for EXCELLENT
ReplyDelete