No 14155, Monday 22 Apr 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 24D 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   One looking to get a good deal naughtier with new bra, kinky (7,6) BARGAIN HUNTER {NAUGHTIER+N+BRA}*

8   Lady in group, initially obese, getting a heavenly body (5) PLUTO {P{L}UT}{Ob..e}

9   Thief is silent, slyly stealing fancy car (9) LARCENIST {L{CAR*}ENIST*}

11 Criminal in a boat infiltrated by detectives, about to surrender (10) ABDICATION {IN+A+BOAT}* over {CID<=}

12 Separate from husband, wanting change (4) SIFT ShIFT

14 Arouses strong passion with drink (5,2) FIRES UP {F}{IRE}{SUP}

16 Bit of Chanel for model, great perfume (7) INCENSE IN(-t+c)CENSE

17 Pastries covered by mould, most substandard (7) ROPIEST {RO{PIES}T}

19 French artist and damsel cuddling at start of exhibition (7) MATISSE {M{AT}ISS}{Ex...n}

21 Maudlin lyrics enthral thoroughly (4) INLY [T]

22 Only remaining option for starlets desperately wanting lead in films (4,6) LAST RESORT {fOR+STARLETS}*

25 Dress up bride more extravagantly (9) EMBROIDER*

26 Throwing one rope to save person who is doomed (5) GONER [T]

27 X-ray with anterior end of coronoid fractured is unusual (13) EXTRAORDINARY {X+RAY+ANTERIOR+c...iD}*

DOWN

2   Top doctor and a nurse, drifting apart (7) ASUNDER {Do...r+A+NURSE}*

3   Get closer perhaps after drinking rum heartily in English city (10) GLOUCESTER {GET+CLOSER}* over {rUm}

4   Lives on rent in small island (5) ISLET {IS}{LET}

5   Sing to entertain, roaming endlessly, playing musical instrument (9) HARMONIUM {H{ROAMINg*}UM}

6   Retired chaps conserving oriental tree (4) NEEM {ME{E}N<=}

7   Issue of rebellion ousting head of state (7) EDITION sEDITION

8   Stall serving starter of meat pie outside lodge by castle (4,3,4) PLAY FOR TIME {Meat+PIE}* over {LAY}{FORT}

10 Where tenant's complaints go exactly (2,3,6) TO THE LETTER [DD]

13 Caught with target slaughtered, star conceals firearm (10) SCATTERGUN {C+TARGET}* in {SUN}

15 Finish golf stroke, employing power to speed up ball (3,4,2) PUT PAID TO {PUT{P}{AID}T}{O}

18 Sick boy overwhelmed by viral disease - getting case containing medicine (7) PILLBOX {P{ILL}{B}OX}

20 One who's contemptuous of striker's first free kick (7) SCORNER {St...r}{CORNER}

23 Knocking back Italian wine, getting drowsy (5) TIRED {IT<=}{RED}

24 Tower's burning, I hear (4) ?O?R (Addendum - SOAR (~sore) - See comments)

Reference List

New = N, Lady = L, Husband = H, Strong = F, Model = T, Oriental = E, Caught = C, Power = P, Boy = B, Italian = IT