No 14130, Saturday 23 Mar 2024, Dr. X

ACROSS

1   Naughty cover featuring face of raunchy American writer (8) BRADBURY {B{Ra...y}AD}{BURY}

5   Brave rogue stealing diamonds slyly perhaps (6) ADVERB {A{D}VERB*}

10 Compound in cacti producing a photochemical effect (7) ACTINIC*

11 The whole orchestra is ready to tour India, playing retro (7) RIPIENO {RIP{I}E}{ON<=}

12 Slide in small pool (5) SLUMP {S}{LUMP}

13 Unmixed alcohol at dinner intoxicated many (4,5) NEAT DRINK {AT+DINNER}*{K}

14 Cutting the cheese in fancy wine bar, cuddling star on date (8,4) BREAKING WIND {WINE+BAR}* over{KING} on {D}

18 Discussion of criminal report involving a model (12) CONVERSATION {CON}{VERS{A}{T}ION}

21 It sweetens temper after a fight (9) ASPARTAME {TAME}<=>{A}{SPAR}

23 Retreats in a jiffy, coming back to protect king (5) NOOKS {S{K}OON<=}

24 Good taste of chillies in beef stew (7) BENEFIC {Ch...s+IN+BEEF}*

25 Sexless marriage finally after long immature scrap (7) EPICENE {m...gE}<=>{EPIC}{?EN} Anno not clear (Addendum - {m...gE}<=>{EPIC}{ENd} - See comments)

26 Steed leaping over line is first (6) ELDEST {E{L}DEST*}

27 Sees one bringing back joint after consuming liquor (8) IMAGINES {1}{MA{GIN}ES<=}

DOWN

1   Noisy dance bars, extremely sleazy (6) BRASSY {BARS*}{Sl..zY}

2   Distinctive film director's arrogance - fires top hero (6) AUTEUR hAUTEUR

3   Emperor's skull perhaps broken by a prince with craftiness (9) BONAPARTE {BON{A}{P}{ART}E}

4   Investigation of mysterious case with arsenic on bottom of spoon (14) RECONNAISSANCE {CASE+ARSENIC+ON+s..oN}*

6   Stupefied in rave, ran topless (5) DOPED {DO}{sPED}

7   Reclusive patient at centre, overwhelmed by simple back spasm (8) EREMITIC {MERE<=}{patIent}{TIC}

8   Obstruct criminal starting to escape outside bar (8) BLOCKADE {B{LOCK}AD}{Es...e}

9   Wide-hipped woman under the spotlight (5,2,3,4) BROAD IN THE BEAM [DD]

15 Settling with bit of grass after alcohol-drinking session (9) GROUNDING {Gr..s}<=>{G{ROUND}IN}

16 Start to snort cocaine and babble in confusion (8) SCRAMBLE {Sn..t}{C}{RAMBLE}

17 Sealed one end up easily (8) UNOPENED*

19 Going over new housing rule (6) GOVERN [T]

20 Check out sunglasses, stylish shades (6) ASSESS [T]

22 Fractures foot in rising commotion (5) RIFTS {RI{F}TS<=} 

Reference List

Diamonds = D, India = I, Small = S, Many = K, Date = D, Model = T, King = K, Line = L, Prince = P, Rave = DO, Cocaine = C, Foot = F