Nothing difficult here, but I admire how Armonie makes it all seem so effortless. As usual, the clues have excellent surfaces that read naturally.
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | OFF THE MARK dd |
| 7 | MACE M[ark] ACE (superb) |
| 9 | DAIS DAIS[y] (flower cut) |
| 10 | PALINDROME *(RANDOM PILE) |
| 11 | WHEELS W (first in wish) HEELS (lists). Beautiful clue; I love how “wish lists” fits together |
| 12 | VILLAGER LAG (convict) in VILER (even more corrupt) |
| 13 | PROCURER PRO (for) CURER (doctor) |
| 15 | EWER [s]EWER (needlewoman lost top) |
| 17 | ADAM A + MAD (crazy) reversed. The architect could be William Adam or any of his three sons, the most famous of whom was Robert |
| 19 | HENCHMAN N[ew] CH[urch] in HE-MAN (masterful type) |
| 22 | FULL STOP dd |
| 23 | ESCHER *(CHEERS) Another favorite clue |
| 25 | CONTRABAND *(ROB AND CAN’T) |
| 26 | AFAR A + RAF (service) reversed |
| 27 | STUD dd |
| 28 | EVERGLADES LAD (boy) in E[astern] VERGES (borders) Another terrific surface |
| Down | |
| 2 | FEATHER E (drug) in FATHER (priest) |
| 3 | TASTE hidden in aniTA STEwart |
| 4 | EXPOSURE EX (old) PO (Italian banker) SURE (certain). I had not seen “banker” for river before, but I like it (and it’s a nice change from the oft-used “flower”). Another standout clue |
| 5 | ALL OVER THE PLACE ALL OVER (finished) THE (article) PLACE (location) |
| 6 | KINDLE KIND (race) LE (the, French) |
| 7 | MARRAKESH RAKE (search) in MARSH (bog) |
| 8 | COMPERE *(MERE COP) |
| 14 | COMPLETED L (sovereign, as in pound coin) in COMPETED (strove) |
| 16 | UNDERDOG *(GROUNDED) |
| 18 | DRUM OUT D[irector] RUM (spirit) OUT (abroad) |
| 20 | AVERAGE VERA (woman) in AGE (advancing years) |
| 21 | AT EASE TEAS (drinks) in A and E |
| 24 | CLARA C[aught] LARA (W.I. batsman Brian Lara) |
Thanks, Agentzero.
I thought this was quite straightforward, as you say, and I enjoyed it. I share your admiration for 11ac – for the same reason. I also particularly liked 10 and 26ac.
All lovely surfaces, as you say – apart from 25ac which is not quite grammatical.
‘Banker’ for river has been around for a long time: some people don’t like it!
And 27ac is something of a chestnut, too – but, all in all, a nice puzzle.
Thanks Agentzero.
As you say nothing difficult here,but a very enjoyable solve,with Armonie’s usual succinct clueing.
As Eileen points out ‘banker’ for river is used quite often,usually to howls of outrage from solvers -don’t mind it myself.
25 across would have worked better following an ellipsis ….and Rob can’t etc.
Top clues for me 10,11 and 19 across.