Solving time: 15 mins
A nice enjoyable puzzle from one of the Indy’s stable of fine setters. Several really excellent clues including 14 across, 17 down (hope he doesn’t sue!) and 23 across.
ACROSS (*) = ANAGRAM (CD)= CRYPTIC DEF (R) = REVERSAL
1 BEDS B.EDS To run a school, you’d need at least a Bachelor of Education degree. (CD)
4 REPUGNANCY RE (About) + PUG (Dog) + NANCY (Bill Sikes’ companion in Oliver Twist – see BBCTV weekends ad nauseam)
9 HEARD OUT Homophone for “her doubt”
10 OUTSET Double def with one cryptic
11 COUPLE L in COUPE
12 OVERCAST OVER + CAST (Use too many players)
14 SEVEN DAYS IN MAY Nice CD of a film.
16 TROUBLESHOOTER BROTHER LOSE OUT*
19 PROFILES PRO (In favour of) + FILES (Records)
20 RAISIN IS inside RAIN
21 UNSAID UN’S (United Nations’) + AID (Assistance)
22 BUMP INTO BUM + PINT + O
23 COME ON DOWN DO CON WOMEN*
24 NERD (CD) N.E. RD (A way to Newcastle would be so described)
DOWN
2 EYESORE homophone for I Soar
3 STRIPPED OFF ST (Good man) + RIPPED OFF (Cheated)
4 RHONE RH (Royal Highness) + ONE
5 PIT PONY P (vERY LITTLE MONEY) + IT + PONY (Slang for twenty-five quid)
6 GLOBEFISH F inside BIG HOLES* A new fish to me.
7 ACT Hidden answer
8 CREASEY John Creasey was a famous notable detective fiction writer, creating amongst other characters The Baron turned into a seminal 60’s TV series starring Steve Forrest. Can’t you tell I have been setting quiz questions all day!
13 COMPOSITION M inside CO-POSITION
15 DABBLED IN D + AND BIBLE*
16 TORONTO Hidden answer
17 EUSEBIO E USE + BIO. Outrageous but funny clue!
18 EVICTOR E + VICTOR
20 ROMAN Double def
22 APE APSE (part of church) minus S
Thanks to Dac for seriously enjoyable fun!
I feel bad that there wasn’t any additional feedback on this puzzle. It is probably a reflection of the clarity of cluing. I enjoyed it a lot.