No 14209, Monday 24 Jun 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   Moment of greatest stress, close to numb with doctor operating to save family (8,5) BREAKING POINT {numB} with {OPERATING}* over {KIN}

8   Suspicion is strong after spouse almost catches husband (5) WHIFF {F}<=>{W{H}IFe}

9   Most ferocious leader of bandits perishes in raid (9) BLOODIEST {Ba...s}{LOO{DIES}T}

11 Most important reason for jockey getting tired? (10) OVERRIDING {OVER RIDING}

12 Ignoring Trump's latest ego trip (4) RIDE pRIDE

14 Fling during intermission? It will brighten things up (3,4) GAS LAMP {GA{SLAM}P}

16 Old doggy leaping to tackle thugs at centre is a hero (4,3) GOOD GUY {O+DOGGY}* over {thUgs}

17 Formal ritual performed after end of toast (7) TITULAR {t..sT}{RITUAL*}

19 Whirlwind starting to twirl violently on road (7) TORNADO {Tw..l}{ON+ROAD}*

21 Detailed chronicle about invasion (4) RAID DIARy<=

22 A, say, good lady dancing with retired men in retro bar (5,5) BLOOD GROUP {GOOD+L}* {OR<=} in {PUB<=}

25 One left fumbling in darkness? This will provide illumination (4,5) NEON LIGHT {ONE+L}* in {NIGHT}

26 Former South African cricketer hit a fantastic sixer finally (5) TAHIR {HIT+A}*{s..eR}

27 Mark led maiden astray? That's cheap (6-3-4)  NICKEL-AND-DIME {NICK}{LED+MAIDEN}*

DOWN

2   They destroy crooked insurer (7) RUINERS*

3   Warm clothes or dresses, primarily inexpensive (10) AFFORDABLE {AFF{OR}{Dr...s}ABLE}

4   Start to inspect garden containing money plant (5) IMBED {In...t}{BED} over {M}

5   Sentimental drivel by director, mushy thing that's said before retiring (4,5) GOOD NIGHT {GOO}{D}{THING*}

6   Brought back LSD, dope, taking chances (4) ODDS [T<=]

7   Demanding information about arresting journalist at home (7) NEEDING {GEN<=} over {ED}{IN}

8   Tungsten, crude tin or another malleable metal (7,4) WROUGHT IRON {W}{ROUGH}{TIN+OR}*

10 Spooner picked up two hats for youngster following latest trends (5-6) TEENY-BOPPER (~beany topper to teeny bopper) (Correction - ~beanie topper to teeny bopper - See comments)

13 Grooved with my date, twirling over carpet (10) CORRUGATED {COR}{DATE*} over {RUG}

15 Knock back drink with girl, one serving person at the bar (9) PARALEGAL {RAP<=}{ALE}{GAL}

18 Expedition discovered oil in African capital (7) TRIPOLI {TRIP}{OIL*}

20 Sound of clearing throat after consuming drug in a line (7) APOTHEM {A{POT}HEM}

23 Son lost temper frequently (5) OFTEN sOFTEN

24 Criticism of skirt? Ignoring puritan ultimately (4) ?L?K (Addendum - FLAK FLAnK - See comments)

Reference List

Strong = F, Husband = H, Old = O, Lady = L, Men = OR, Left = L, Money = M, Director = D, at home = IN, My = COR, Son = S