This was a welcome puzzle today as I was running a little late with blogging. In each clue the wordplay and definitions fell in neatly so there wasn’t much to be doubtful about once I had the answers.
Personally I’m not a fan of definitions like in 4d, but others might disagree. Thanks ARMONIE for the pleasure.
All definitions in clues marked like this.
* anagram, + charade, – deletion, ~ sounds like, <= reversal, H hidden, DD double definition, CD cryptic definition
ACROSS
1 Huge quantities in Slough? See the publicity! (9) SHEDLOADS [slough(v)=SHED + see=LO + publicity=ADS]
6 Greek champion’s charm (5) GRACE [GReek + champion=ACE]
9 Elvis had treatment and is not dead (5) LIVES [ELVIS]*
10 Briefcase left with a page (9) PORTFOLIO [left=PORT + a page=FOLIO]
11 Chosen agents died horribly (10) DESIGNATED [AGENTS DIED]*
12 Precious part of a wet weekend (4) TWEE [H]
14 Assembly sees solicitor grasping vessel (7) TURNOUT [solicitor=TOUT outside vessel=URN]
15 King enters disreputable establishment, initially for a shufti (4-3) LOOK-SEE [King inside disreputable=LOOSE + Establishment]
17 Cost of old farm structures needing energy (7) EXPENSE [old=EX + farm structures=PENS + Energy]
19 Couturier initially gets edging first from dealer (7) CHEMIST [Couturier + edging(n)=HEM + first=1ST]
20 Time to question assignment (4) TASK [Time + question=ASK]
22 Security agency’s chief is deceptive (10) MISLEADING [M of MI6 IS LEADING] Not sure if the wordplay accurately conveys M IS LEADING or if I’m reading it wrong. See comments below
25 Arrange promotion during last stand of officer (9) BRIGADIER [arrange=RIG + promotion=AD inside last stand=BIER]
26 Tory leader licking fish (5) TROUT [Tory + licking(n)=ROUT]
27 College said to be decayed (5) EATEN [~ETON]
28 Record that exists of illness (9) ENTERITIS [record=ENTER + that exists=IT IS]
DOWN
1 Concrete is very good on top (5) SOLID [very good=SO + top=LID]
2 Water falling from roof or tap (9) EAVESDROP [C&DD]
3 Fall back in disarray? Loungers do! (4,6) LOSE GROUND [LOUNGERS DO]*
4 Snake to stop on road (7) ASPHALT [snake=ASP + to stop=HALT]
5 Posh bishop residing in Settle? That’s weird! (7) SURREAL [posh=U + bishop=RR inside settle(v)=SEAL]
6 It can be blown indiscreetly, producing a boom (4) GAFF [DD] Gaff=Boom as in the Gaff sail boom? Not sure
7 Acknowledge being a little rude (5) ALLOW [A + Little + rude=LOW]
8 Let me open letters composed when running away (9) ELOPEMENT [LET ME OPEN]*
13 Sibyl, a writer, tours California (10) FORECASTER [a writer=FORESTER outside CAlifornia]
14 Awful tear in chart can be put right (9) TREATABLE [TEAR* inside chart=TABLE]
16 Tell of single bird in stream (4,2,3) SPIT IT OUT [single=1 + bird=TIT inside stream(v)=SPOUT]
18 Earl to risk concealing condition of building (7) EDIFICE [Earl + to risk=DICE outside condition=IF]
19 Felon finds positive religious teaching in sect (7) CULPRIT [Positive + religious teaching=RI inside sect=CULT]
21 Broke surface with tournament leader (5) SKINT [surface=SKIN + Tournament]
23 Tycoon creates openings (5) GATES [DD]
24 Caution in conflict over gas (4) WARN [conflict=WAR + gas=N=nitrogen]
Thanks, Bhavan.
I read 22ac as a charade:
MISLEADING = MI (Military Intelligence … a Security Agency of the British government)
+ ‘S (is) + LEADING (chief)
Sorry, in comment 1, I meant to write has not is!
MISLEADING = MI (Military Intelligence … a Security Agency of the British government)
+ ‘S (has) + LEADING (chief)
Enjoyably straightforward apart from 4d. Thanks to setter and blogger
Thanks Armonie and Bhavan
22ac: I had it similarly to mike04 @1,2, but I think you can just take the ‘s as a possessive to give MI’s = MIS in the grid.
Agreed, Pelham. I was MISLEADING myself this morning.
(Saw that right after my second post.) Mike
Thanks mike04@1 and Pelham Barton@4 that parsing makes sense
For 22a, if you know that M is the chief of the ‘security agency’, then does M IS LEADING makes sense?
Thanks Armonie and Bhavan
Enjoyable puzzle without too many hitches.
Agree with Mike’s parsing of MISLEADING.
With 6d, a GAFF is a spar attached to the mast of a sailing boat. To BLOW THE GAFF is a British expression to divulge a secret … hence to be indiscreet – a very nice clue !!