Independent Cryptic #11662

2024-02-26

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Fail when beginning to talk - it's hot air (7)

flowerflowerflower
5a

Sappers leaving one French city for base (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

I – one & RE – sappers removed from G(re)NOBLE

9a

Yiddish gossip truly accepting Christian work (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

YEA – yes. truly with N(ew) T(estament) inserted

10a

Hotel specialist returned to run leaderless institution (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

H(otel) & PRO- specialist all reversed and a Leaderless (m)ANAGE – run

11a

Fish surprises, served with nut endlessly (4,6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

ROCKS – surprises & an endless ALMON(d)

12a

Don't go to sleep with Stheno at first (4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

S(theno) & KIP – sleep

14a

Dancer in Opal vana van wrecked (4,7)

flowerflowerflower
18a

See 26 Across

21a

Mysterious character in ecstasy after work (4)

flowerflowerflower
22a

Notice advertisement in city causing alarm? (5,5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

CLOCK – notice & AD(vert) in RIO

25a

26 18 taking a risk when out among animals (3,6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

It’s 26/18’s nickname. [A RISK]* out inside DEER

26a
18a

(and 18 Across) Footballer, French, by an unknown stream in Parisian arbour we hear (5,11)

Generating...
27a

Rude gesture given with little hesitation in game (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

SNOOK – gesture & ER -hesitation

28a

Accepted member wearing crimson is backed (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

IN – wearing & RED IS reversed

Down

1d
2d

(and 2 Down) Well-oiled machine run by 25's team (6,6)

Generating...
2d

See 1 Down

3d

Raab corrected says these are LAS countries (4,6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A corrected RAAB* & STATES – says. LAS is the League of Arab States

4d

Monster to walk slowly after beheading (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A beheaded (s)TROLL

5d

Tees is ready: solver reportedly unprepared! (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

I’m – Tees is & PROMPT – ready & sounds like you – the solver

6d

Ham producer's Japanese production around area (4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A(rea) inside NOH – Japanese drama. Ham was Noah’s son

7d

Recording device in jet pack (5,3)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

Def could be extended to Jet but it’s JET – black & PACK – box

8d

Former barrister killing time sees model (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

EX – former & without T (t)EMPLAR. Barristers often belong to a temple hence templar

13d

Finished plans for lending arrangements (10)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

OVER – finished & DRAFTS – plans

15d

Spray where blue rinse needs management (9)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Alumnus Eliot entertaining cheeky thrusts forward (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

ON – old boy, alumnus & RUDE – cheeky inside TS (eliot)

17d

Arsenic and Old Lacesynopsis needed (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

[ARSENIC & O(ld)]* laced

19d

King seen in hackneyed war drama (6)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Ounce captured by farmer who likes a drink (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

OZ – ounce inside BOER – farmer

23d

Canine tooth one has right in middle (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

COG – tooth & I – one with R(ight) inserted

24d

Man in suit lifting equipment (4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

Double def