Very much a puzzle of 2 halves for me, specifically a pretty easy top half and a much, much harder bottom half. Nevertheless, fantastic clues as always from Dac, 24A being my pick of the bunch.
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | DABBLE – B and B in DALE |
| 4 | CHIP SHOP – C(onstant) + S(on) in HIP-HOP |
| 9 | FILING – 1 in FLING |
| 10 | CLARINET – IN in CLARET |
| 12 | AGORA – Double def. AGORA is a marketplace and an Israeli unit of currency |
| 13 | PROUSTIAN – (IN A STUPOUR)* |
| 14 | CHAPTERHOUSE – CHAP + (OTHER) * + USE |
| 18 | ORTHODONTIST – (DIRT ON TOOTH’S)* |
| 21 | HEATHENRY – HEAT on HENRY |
| 23 | ARGAN – N AGRA rev. |
| 24 | CAFE NOIR – O (love) + 1 in (FRANCE)* – A lovely &lit. |
| 25 | GODIVA – GO DIVA! |
| 26 | SALLYING – ALLY in SING |
| 27 | BEETLE – Double def. |
| Down | |
| 1 | DEFIANCE – DE + FIANCE |
| 2 | BALMORAL – (ROAM)* in BALL |
| 3 | LANCASTER – A ST. in LANCER |
| 5 | HELLO GOODBYE – Cryptic def. |
| 6 | PARIS – RI (leaders of Revolution In) in PAS |
| 7 | HANG IN – Hidden in cHANGINg |
| 8 | PATENT – PA + TENT |
| 11 | APPREHENSION – Double def. |
| 15 | SINGAPORE – GAP (Gulf) + OR(egon) + E on SIN |
| 16 | JINGOIST – I.N.G in JOIST |
| 17 | STONE AGE – ONE in STAGE |
| 19 | WHACKS – Double def. |
| 20 | EARFUL – [-f]EARFUL |
| 22 | HONEY – H(usband) + ONE + Y(en) |
Thanks, Ali. I had exactly the same experience as you – solved the top half more or less on first pass, then really struggled with the bottom half and in fact couldn’t finish three or four. There were two or three where I thought ‘that’s not a great clue’ but then of course when you see the subtlety of what’s going on, you realise that Dac is up to his usual high standard.
CAFE NOIR and ORTHODONTIST were very good. I had TEARFUL rather than FEARFUL at 20dn for the definition of ‘upset’, not that it really matters.
Had a pleasant lunchtime with Dac, with 24 across for me too the pick of the bunch. Fireworks yesterday, another facet today!! Who will we see tomorrow?
Agree with above. Bottom half much harder. Superb puzzle. CAFE NOIR magnificent.
Thanks Ali.
Haven’t been a regular Indie solver for very long (except Saturdays),but I have come to greatly respect Dac as a solver.He seems to be a regular Wednesday feature and every puzzle is to a consistently high standard.
Always a good mix of clue devices and usually one or two corkers in each puzzle e.g. 21 and 24 across.
I don’t remember seeing any criticism of Dac’s puzzles here,which must be a telling point as we are a pretty picky bunch!
Glad I wasn’t the only one to have a top half easy bottom not quite so day. Thought of Singapore quite early but even at the end couldn’t justify it so thanks Ali (and Dac)
Kicking myself over 21 and 24, each of which I half got. Missed several others in the bottom part too.
Great as always from Dac, who is indeed a Wed regular. Very tough SE corner. Favourite clues, CAFE NOIR and GODIVA
Same as K’s D top half was quite easy but really struggled with bottom half.never heard of 27a as a game.23a no idea.As usual very rarely get everyone’s COD!
Never heard of 24a
Not 24a,12a!
“Agora”, Israeli coin or can also be a Greek marketplace.
Thanks Rex.I looked it up when I saw the answer.It may come in handy in a later puzzle!