SubscriptionsMay 2024 Puzzle Solutions
Across: 1 HES contains (transfixed by) skill (ART) = HEARTS (suit), 4 Last letter (close to) of presiden(T) + offspring (ISSUE) = TISSUE (matter), 8 1st party (I+DO) in weeks (WW) + outer letters (discontented) EmployeR = WIDOWER (his wife is late), 9 Today (AD) + woman (MS) embracing
(restraining) anger (IRE) = ADMIRES (respects), 11 Anagram (turned into) of STUPID RACE = CUSTARD PIE (something you might see in slapstick), 12 Immediate (URGEnt) minus (ban of) books (nt) = URGE (encourage), 13 Insert (introduce…to) middle letter (core of) of friEnds into family = CLEAN (not offensive), 14 DD, 16 1st letter (a little) of Chilli + paste (HARISsA) swapping the 1st letter (primarily) of Mild for the last s (not spicy, just before the end) = CHARISMA (appeal), 18 I inserted (must take part in) obstruction (CLOG) with 1st letter moved to last (cycling) = LOGIC (reason), 20 Homophone (we gather) of airier (better ventilated) = AREA (space), 21 2nd rate (B) + sale item (LOT) + 1st letter (principally) of (C)heap + anagram (is atrocious) of SHITE = BLOTCHIEST (the most blemished), 23 Anagram (unusual) of ROUTINE = IN UTERO (in the place where embryos are stored), 24 Totter (SWAY) containing (around) = SLIPWAY (where pier falls away), 25 Anagram (ridiculously) of DANE containing (keeps) expensive car (RR) = ERRAND (trip to the shop DBE = for instance), 26 Reversal (is over) of artist (RA) + depression (DENT) = ARDENT (passionate).
Down: 1 Taking Coot’s lead of a split lurker, tHAI + KUdos reveals (unveiling) HAIKU (poem), 2 WP suggests a job (POST) containing (drinking) beer (ALE), but it is the opposite = APOSTLE (preacher), 3 CD of TREE RINGS as trees are crops for a forester, 5 Homophone (audience finds) of Indy (aa type of motor racing) = INDIE (music), 6 Anagram (badly) of LIMIT US = STIMULI (provocations), 7 Anagram (silly) of GENERIC containing (is accommodated) ET (and French) = ENERGETIC (lively), 10 Detailed description (SPEC) + reversal (put up) of next to (AT) + hill (TOR) = SPECTATOR (someone looking at), 13 Anagram (wildly) of CHEER ONCE = COHERENCE (harmony), 15 Anagram (could be seen as) of MORAL CLUE = MOLECULAR (being of very little substance), 17 in relation to (RE) + ham (DBE, ACTOR) = REACTOR (someone showing signs of sensitivity), 19 Hobbles (LIMPS) inserted (into) in vote (GE) = GLIMPSE (spy), 21 BARON (peer) comes from (out of) farm building (BARN) containing nothing (O), 22 (ST)umped + technique (ART) = START (jerk).
