Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 23
Recent conjectures that Cincinnus is making his puzzles harder seem to me to be denied by this one. I found it fairly easy but very enjoyable as usual.
Across
1. SPECTRUM – [in]SPECT[or] + RUM (suspect)
6. BEREFT – F (fellow) in BERET (cap)
9. NORMAL – NORMA (opera) + L (number of Romans)
10. ROSEMARY – double definition
11. OGRE – GO backwards + RE (about)
12. VIETNAMESE – anagram of IS MEAT EVEN
14. COTTON ON – COTTON (British golfer) + ON (cricket side)
16. DOGS – DO (perform) + G[love]S
18. STET – STET[son]
19. OBSOLETE – SOLE (only) in anagram of TO BE
21. HENRY FONDA – anagram of F[i]NERY in HONDA (car)
22. MOOS – MOOS[e]
24. POINT OUT – PO (flower) + IN (favoured) + TOUT (solicitor)
26. INRUSH – I (one) + anagram of RUNS + H (hydrogen)
27. ADVENT – V (very shortly) in ADEN (port) + T (time)
28. EGG WHISK – EG (for example) + G (good) + WHISK[y]
Down
2. PRONG – [milliga]N in PROG (program)
3. COMMENTATOR – homophone (“common tater”)
4. RELEVANT – ER (royal) backwards + LEVANT (do a runner)
5. MARIE ANTOINETTE – anagram of MEET IRATE NATION
6. BASINS – IN (in) in BASS (fish)
7. RAM – double definition
8. FORESIGHT – homophone (“Forsyte” as in Saga)
13. MIDDLEMARCH – MIDDLE (mean) + MARCH (demonstrate)
15. ON THE ROAD – anagram of DO ANOTHER
17. ASSAYING – A (a) + S (small) + SAYING (saw)
20. AFLOAT – A (a) + FLOAT (launch)
23. OASIS – O (naught) + AS IS (in its present state)
25. NEE – hidden word
Hi Pete
Good blog.
Yes, normal service has been resumed. After struggling with the previous two puzzles, this one I solved with only a couple of minor delays.
As usual, a great puzzle from Cincinnus, my favourite FT compiler. He really is a very talented clue-smith. I wish his puzzles were weekly rather than fortnightly, as two weeks is too long to wait for his next puzzle.