It’s Hamilton this morning, a “Marmite” setter.
Overall an enjoyable challenge. The anagram starting at 1 across is certainly a beast, so kudos to Hamilton for that! Otherwise as ever, many clues where the surface seems to trump in the setting of the puzzle, but besides the stylistic peculiarities, I had a good time with this! Many thanks to Hamilton.
(CONFRONTED FOLK AT JAMES EARLS A)* (*shock)
THOR (deity) named in PLEA (entreaty)
TEE (supporter) + [get]S (finally) + HI (hello) + RT (right)
O (old) + RANGE (limit) + RY (lines)
[c]IT[y] [ch]AL[et] [dom]IC[ile] (mid-range)
[tri]FLE A[mbitious] (part)
TORY (Conservative) revealed in S (special) + BOARD (committee)
(SID)* (*ORDERED) Cryptic clue
Double definition
Cryptic definition
Just girls “aloud” / allowed (so it’s “said”)
Double definition
STUDIO[us] (academic, US (you and I) vacate)
(O (old) ANTIQUE)* (*provoked)
UNI’s (teaching institution’s) + ON (working)
Double definition
CAST A NET (do what fishermen do) with S (small)
[menti]ONED GE[eorge] (some)
Double definition
Cryptic clue (underground = tube, experiment = test)
Double definition
(CAN AID + T (time))* (*upset)
(HERBERT COLE)* (*shuffle) has PER[fected] (partly)
N + S (poles, north and south) inhabiting TRACT (region)
Unfortunately I can’t see where the second “a” comes from, and so assume it is an error
(STAGE DIRECTIONS without STARTING (to go))* (*awry)
WAY (road) + WORN (seen better days)
TOPS< (spinners, <brought back) + ON
N (name) for A + U (posh) + RU (game, Rugby Union)
DEMO[graphic] (population study, with no GRAPHIC (pictures))
Thanks, Hamilton and Teacow!
Loved HEN PARTY and TEST TUBE.
18: Yea. looks like…
Thought this a fun start to the week; my favourite being 11/14. Herbert Cole was an illustrator but, I hope, innocent of said misdeed.
The lengthy clue for ‘average guy’ helped fill in a good chunk and made this a relatively quick solve though like Teacow, I couldn’t fathom the extra ‘a’ in TRANSACT.
19d was my last one in – a definition I frequently fail to ‘see’ but this time, I had all the crossers.
Thanks to Hamilton and Teacow.
‘Negotiate with Poles inhabiting a region’ is what I imagine Hamilton wrote. Maybe the ‘a’ was dropped in an edit?
Steven @ 3: surely that would give ATRANSCT or ATRNSACT?
As you say, Teacow, a ‘marmite’ setter.
I’ve never seen Marmite as an adjective before. I infer that a “Marmite” taste is an acquired taste, so one either loves it or hates it.
As for 18d, perhaps it should have been “Negotiate with a couple of Poles inhabiting region.”
Thanks, Hamilton and Teacow.
Would some kind soul help me to understand how 19a works? I’m still struggling to understand it.
Kevin. 19a is a type of clue sometimes called a reverse anagram. The word SID is an anagram of DIS so SID is DIS “organised”. And, of course, “disorganised” means “in a mess”.
Thanks Hamilton. I had some difficulty with this — I had never heard the term BROTHEL CREEPER and I entered “disarrayed” instead of DISORDERED for 19a so I failed in that section of the crossword. Other than that it was a pleasant solve with PLETHORA and CASTANETS being favourites. Thanks Teacow for the blog.
Really enjoyable Monday solve so thanks to Hamilton.
Needed some clarification on a couple so thanks also to Teacow.
I enjoyed TEE SHIRT, DISORDERED and DIOCESE. 1A was, of course, a great start to the crossword week!
Thanks, Hovis @8