Independent Cryptic #12100

2025-07-21

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Finance contract scam circulating online again (9)

flowerflowerflower
6a

Intimate moment American scoundrel recalled (5)

Generating...

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

A reversal of MO and SOB for son of a bitch.

9a

Courier art collection from NYC to Rochester? (7)

flowerflowerflower
10a

Energy drink - delivered or in shops (7)

Generating...

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

Aural wordplay (‘delivered’) of FORCE ALE.

11a

Dutch practised capturing Belgium for experiment (6)

Generating...

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

A charade of D and an insertion of B in ABLE. The insertion indicator is ‘capturing’.

12a

Personal bodyguards fending off cats and dogs? (8)

Generating...

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

A cd. Which took me the longest time to see.

14a

Newspaper editor's leader inspired frenzy (4)

flowerflowerflower
15a

Something shocking in house posh car or coat (10)

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18a

Stands down the road among crowds (10)

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20a

Orchestra director embraces the music of Acker Bilk (4)

flowerflowerflower
23a

Far-out rock concert's finale bores stoned roadies (8)

Generating...

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

An insertion of T for the final letter of ‘concert’ in (ROADIES)* The insertion indicator is ‘bores’ and the anagrind is ‘stoned’.

24a

Where electoral system is cooked up and tested? (6)

flowerflowerflower
26a

Mould spread behind sink (7)

flowerflowerflower
27a

Who will deliver something to drink gravy from? (7)

flowerflowerflower
28a

Substitute for axes (5)

flowerflowerflower
29a

List of dishes seasoned with 50% kosher salt (9)

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Down

1d

Honest advice about river voyage with return ticket? (9)

Generating...
2d

Place quantity of drugs in editor's in-tray? (7)

flowerflowerflower
3d

Flat includes parking as standard (6)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Nookie starts to exhaust mature couple (4)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Prefer short trader to risk everything (10)

flowerflowerflower
6d

Crime mostly lower in Greater Manchester area (8)

flowerflowerflower
7d

Language pointing up pronoun rules covering greeting (7)

Generating...

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

An insertion of HI in I LAWS reversed. The insertion indicator is ‘covering’.

8d

Expressions of wealth so to speak (5)

Generating...

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

Aural wordplay (‘so to speak’) of MEANS.

13d

Trio claims novel typical of Voltaire? (10)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Timid teen working as shop girl in Paris (9)

flowerflowerflower
17d

Prepare to use ATM? (8)

Generating...

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

A dd. READY is slang for cash.

19d

Old style expertise cracked code (7)

flowerflowerflower
21d

Artist introduces island: Nice 'ere innit? (7)

Generating...

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

An insertion of I in [Diego] RIVERA, the Mexican artist. The insertion indicator is ‘introduces’. Nice is found on the Riviera, n’est-ce pas ?

22d

Nearly new largely fake artwork (6)

flowerflowerflower
23d

Do sums seem reasonable? (5)

Generating...

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

A dd.

25d

Cracked open a beer? (4)

Generating...

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

A charade of A and JAR.