If you prefer to work on the interactive version, click on this LINK. The clues are of the general knowledge type but the solutions have a feature in common.

Across

    1  Small cake leavened with yeast (4)

    3  Colloidal extract of algae; used especially in culture media and as a gelling agent in foods (4-4)

    9  In a tedious manner (7)

  10  Cocaine (5)

  11  Tiresome, persistent or meaningless chatter (4,4,4)

  14  With the addition of (3)

  16  Snares (5)

  17  Farm in southern France (3)

  18  Pink paste made from fish roe and used as a dip for food (12)

  21  Unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy (5)

  22  Festival commemorating the announcement of the Incarnation by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary; a quarter day in England, Wales, and Ireland (4,3)

  23  Medium-sized larch of Canada and northern United States including Alaska having a broad conic crown and rust-brown scaly bark (8)

  24  Snakes of southern Europe; similar to but smaller than the adder (4)

Down

    1  United States songwriter noted for his protest songs (3,5)

    2  Took out the fillets (5)

    4  Bright and pleasant (3)

    5  Rugged offshore places in Australia (5,7)

    6  Old lady (7)

    7  Dissolute man of fashion (4)

    8  Practice fencing (4,2,6)

  12  Theatrical entertainment (5)

  13  All who (2,4,2)

  15  Drawing showing the relation between the parts (7)

  19  Yellow-fever mosquitos (5)

  20  Singing jazz; the singer substitutes nonsense syllables for the words of the song and tries to sound like a musical instrument (4)

  22  Resinlike substance (3)

Here is last week’s solution:

Clues in this crossword are of a type. If you prefer to work on the interactive version, click on this LINK. Across

   7  Master rambling little river … (6)

    8  … dominate unusual stream (6)

    9  Surprisingly poop one’s mate (4)

  10  Queer idolator is severely simple in design (8)

  11  Door hinges of quaint chalets (7)

  13  Place for dates with a difference (5)

  15  Lousily slags industrial material (5)

  17  Mother’s reconditioned vacuum flask (7)

  20  Measurable numerals in circulation (8)

  21  Ember of fizzy cola (4)

  23  Thanes organised in capital city (6)

  24  Animal trainers master recklessly (6)

Down

    1  Opts possibly to conclude (4)

    2  Quirky co-heir is supremely courageous (6)

    3  Mothers disgustingly suffocate (7)

    4  Naomi’s rearranged brief pregnancy test (5)

    5  Go along with intricate sector (6)

    6  Curiously agreed on a Christian convert to Islam (8)

  12  Peculiarly manliest disorders (8)

  14  Little wooden houses faulty latches (7)

  16  Sibling unhappily resits (6)

  18  Amerce unusual flower cluster (6)

  19  Abnormally stern German artist (5)

  22  Care about little piece of ground (4)

Here is last week’s solution.

If you prefer to work on the interactive version of the crossword or print a pdf., click on this LINK.

A quotation will appear in the completed grid. Fourteen consecutive clues contain misprints in their definition parts. Correct letters will give the author of the quotation. The Chambers dictionary (2008) is the primary reference. The quotation is in the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations.

Across

    2  Very small with energy for the initiation of intimacy, becomes irritable (6)

    5  A queen perhaps circling about a first reading book (5)

    8  Scene of action in the US and in a turmoil thereat (7)

    9  Artist in the loo produces fighting ladies (4 abbrev.)

  10  Sailor has rumpy-pumpy in the centre of market place (6)

  11  Fruit of love with limits (6)

  12  Redirect receiving of stolen goods in Scotland (5)

  14  The day one backs and demonstrates execution by drowning (6)

  16  Being half joky, exalt to heaven with praise according to the bard (5)

  19  Native-born Israeli returns sheltering American in Central Asian wheeled carriages (6)

  22  Brother in Persian religion – not accepted (4)

  24  Begin eagerly with latitude in a loud falsetto male voice (6, 2 words)

  26  Scottish milking pail found in the French valley (6)

  27  Fool beginning to erect a holiday house in France (4)

  29  Ornamental chain is article king permitted (6)

  31  Without turning round, with only a hint of hesitation, speak insolently in Stornoway (5)

  33  South African stick is half a New Zealand climbing plant and most of a rawhide thong (6)

  35  Element of dinner, for example, when a bit of taste is incorporated (5)

  37  Scattered seed around the start of March and determined number of animals pasture would support (6)

  38  Pale green colour of turbulent Red Sea (6)

  39  Gratin, prepared with no bits of grease? (4)

  40  Money from Romania and Germany twice for one-time ambassador (7)

  41  A tentative effort, yes has it when back to front (5)

  42  Gather in great quantity, including density, marketing aimed at a body of people (6)

Down

    1  Wife after a race produces one work added to another denoting quality (6 abbrev.)

    2  There in trouble – two with one mare (5)

    3  A chopped spud and a tift in Glasgow (4)

    4  Cockerel that has hot female nature – he has nooky initially with new yen (5)

    5  Agree, cunningly wary (4)

    6  Fete of one who is out, has sufficient power, depth and breadth (5, 3 words abbrev.)

    7  Eleven somehow retaining all the game (6, 2 words)

  13  Wag has a dollar on an inferior horse (4)

  15  Loiters with no opening and narks (4)

  17  Bed of dock is in a bad way (4)

  18  Recognised changing direction in horse’s joint corresponding to the human waist (4)

  20  Crude nationalist giving further crap (4)

  21  Organism with pack of roots and stems found in botanical garden (4)

  23  Old Peruvian nosh in Pacific tree with edible roots (4)

  25  Heel over and roll (4)

  26  Dissipated lassie gets an angry harangue (6)

  28  Grease old plough after beginning of each new line (6)

  30  Fruit of one wife being embraced in curtailed caress (5)

  31  Pip containing a bit of rot became dry (5)

  32  He’s entertaining publicity for the world of the dead (5)

  34  Renounce being in the forefront of fashion, with time and daughter gone (4)

  36  Forensic test for evidence of document amendments in Clydesdale (4 abbrev.)

Here is last week’s solution;

If you prefer to work on the interactive version or print a pdf., click on this LINK.

Across

    1  Retires from military service (6)

    4  Obstacle on a golf course (6)

    9  Republic in northeastern Europe on the Baltic Sea (7)

  10  Egyptian solar god with the head of a falcon; the son of Osiris and Isis (5)

  11  Dyed fabric; a removable wax is used where the dye is not wanted (5)

  12  Paintings by a French impressionist (1841-1919) (7)

  13  Steam room where facilities are available for a bath followed by a shower and massage (7,4)

  18  Member of the Muskhogean people formerly living in Alabama (7)

  20  Hired assassin (5)

  22  Openly distrustful and unwilling to confide (5)

  23  A mistranslation of the Danish ‘ellerkonge’ – King of the elves (3,4)

  24  Peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf; strategically important for its oil resources (6)

  25  Make attractive or lovable (6)

Down

    1  US slang for nerds (6)

    2  Unaccompanied choral composition with sacred lyrics; intended to be sung as part of a church service; originated in the 13th century (5)

    3  Capital and largest city and chief port of Thailand; a leading city in southeastern Asia; noted for Buddhist architecture (7)

    5  Anaemic looking from illness or emotion (5)

    6  Fly people or goods to or from places not accessible by other means (7)

    7  Choose not to consume (6)

    8  Loosely woven fabric made in the Outer Hebrides (6,5)

  14  Tailed amphibia such as newts and salamanders (7)

  15  Chief city of ancient Mesopotamia and capital of an ancient kingdom (7)

  16  Sea nymph transformed into a sea monster who lived on one side of a narrow strait; drowned and devoured sailors who tried to escape Charybdis (a whirlpool) on the other side of the strait (6)

  17  Amusingly eccentric, grumpy or old-fashioned old man (6)

  19  Ductless glandular organs at the base of the neck (5)

  21  Liquorice-flavoured seeds, used medicinally and in cooking and liquors (5)

Here is last week’s solution;

A cryptic crossword again this week. Click HERE if you prefer to work on the interactive version or to print a pdf.

You would expect to find all of the unclued lights.

Across

    7  Unclued light (6)

    8  Glanced sideways and reeled wildly (6)

    9  Little old lady; not completely dignified (4)

  10  A French intuition – absence of faith (8)

  11  Peculiar respect for ghost (7)

  13  Lazy people, southern louts (5)

  15  Unclued light (5)

  17  Ridiculously insures start of day (7)

  20  Unclued light (8)

  21  Hidden danger of rock, basalt for example (4)

  22  Oust from power misbehaving English aunts (6)

  23  Repair destroyed sword (6)

Down

    1  Act with no restraint: the French drug experience! (6, 2 words)

    2  Husks of grain in messy barn (4)

    3  Inordinately queries title (7)

    4  Unclued light (5)

    5  Essentially full in basement consisting of a number of separate rooms (8)

    6  Reflect about an action word (6)

  12  Sadly cremate a meal of scones and jam (8, 2 words)

  14  US taken in by singular rash rising troopers (7)

  16  Determine position of books containing nothing in French (6)

  18  Unclued light (6)

  19  Join group of persons with energy (5)

  21  Raised mark of the highest quality (4)

Here is last week’s solution:

Clues in this week’s easy cryptic crossword are all of the same type. Click HERE if you prefer to work on the interactive version or to print a pdf.

Across

    1  Once interpret dread frightfully (5)

    4  Twist and strew wildly (5)

    7  Strangely alarm mate in old school (9, 2 words)

    9  Unusually net a hospital department (3)

  10  Was fully aware of a design in commotion (7)

  13  Nagging about associating in groups (7)

  15  Measure unusual roc (3)

  16  Hard nut in rotten type of unreported accident (9)

  18  Strange little groups in Tunis (5)

  19  Lease disorderly Scottish ashes (5)

Down

    1  Sadly bagged a worthless person (7, 3 words)

    2  Entails peculiar protein (7)

    3  A dominant quite different state of being condemned (9)

    5  Refined air in river valley (3)

    6  Upright slab of worked steel (5)

    8  An emigree confused in outlandish assortment of people (9)

  11  Cutting lines in treacherous ascents (7)

  12  Disturb furious grandee (7)

  14  Terribly alien type of dress (5)

  17  Worker’s unusual tan (3)

Here is last week’s solution:

If you prefer to work on the interactive version of this crossword or print a pdf., click on this LINK that will take you to the Crossword Compiler website.

The nine highlighted lights are all found in the same area. They are of a kind and have only word play in the clues; no definitions.

Across

    1  Pace round indulged favourites (4)

    3  Re-designed it rashly (8, 2 words)

    9  Recent question indeed (7)

  10  Sounds healthy! (5)

  11  Organ’s ability to produce its own required chemicals, surprisingly first class in Portsmouth (12)

  13  About hilarious performance in old company in New York (6)

  15  Person informally, mega-fashionable (6)

  17  Unusually plain stripes in closely woven silk with dull finish (12, 2 words)

  20  Back of insect’s thorax – no stomach (5)

  21  Having an embarrassed face with sorrow once (7)

  22  Seal and send boxes (8, 2 words)

  23  Cross over entry (4)

Down

    1  Zone in hardship (8)

    2  Bird’s a fool consuming drug (5)

    4  Old lady’s young lover, aggressive troublemaker turning up chasing sport (6, 2 words)

    5  Group of vertebrates wrongly produced by a childish typo, line missing (12)

    6  Rock plant found in disorderly asylums (7)

    7  Theoretic source of elements, strangely elmy (4)

    8  Cuts in mop-ups figuring in machines for raising fluids (12, 2 words)

  12  One French type of chilli pepper ready primarily to become unattached (8)

  14  He’s left in confusion, not turning up (7)

  16  Sci fi’s Earth inhabitant found in landlocked sea (6)

  18  Idly take tour (5)

  19  Man I like reveals colour (4)

Here is last week’s solution:

Unclued lights are of a kind. Click on this link if you would like to use the interactive version or print a pdf.

Across

    7  Unclued light (6)

    8  Unclued light (6)

    9  A service returned from a long way off (4)

  10  Unclued light (8)

  11  Charles upset: he disagrees (7)

  13  Unclued light (5)

  15  Clay pigeon shooting in theUSA: expression of alarm echoed in street (5)

  17  Treat with contempt hospital department in difference of opinion (7)

  20  Kind of unreal to excel in know-how (8)

  21  Unclued light (4)

  22  Uninvited guest inScotland; dreadful snorer! (6)

  23  Additional levy on French cab reduced (6)

Down

    1  Large amount of endless intense dislike, almost complete (6)

    2  Not even Burberry for southernUS relative (rabbit maybe?) (4)

    3  Air trap, for example, strangely heads up (1-6)

    4  Cheese – good old universal Dutch trade essentially (5)

    5  Cunning strikers New Zealanders who trim fleeces (8)

    6  Plant in a tangle in European isles (6)

  12  Unclued light (8)

  14  Northern people – perfect we hear! (7)

  16  Ancient statue of nude is possibly ours OK? (6)

  18  Deny? No, pronounce! (6)

  19  Unclued light (5)

  21  Unclued light (4)

Here is last week’s solution:

A cryptic crossword this week. If you wish to work on the interactive version or download a pdf of the crossword, click on this LINK that will take you to the Crossword Compiler website.

Highlighted solutions are of a kind and their clues have only wordplay.

Across

    1  Australian vehicle on line (4)

    3  Unusually vain girl (8)

    9  Greenish-black French crow (7)

  10  Grim horror surrounding this gazelle! (5)

  11  Peculiar Peking cellos (12)

  13     Transvestite’s radio? (6)

  15     Concerning little local stream (6)

  17  Bird growled alone in uproar (4-5,3)

  20  Dance in queer local Scots ball (5)

  21  The French, unfortunate victim (almost) of a subordinate priest (7)

  22     Switzerland pursuing revolutionary rascal (8)

  23  Hardship doing without mixed dish (4)

Down

    1  Church entry where coffin was stored – strangely ethical, with a hint of gravity (8)

    2  Limbless body involved in doctor’s oral (5)

    4  Sort of Guiana lizard (6)

    5  Twisted mega-perverse area for animal protection (4,8)

    6  New bit of DNA of the later Tertiary period (7)

    7  Lure surrounding unknown (not of high social standing) (4)

    8  Ageless king (Kenyan originally) somehow in Scottish mirror (7-5)

  12  Move stealthily, stopping short with mate turning up holding cold hat (8)

  14  Loss of sense of smell in Samoa sadly (7)

  16  Local girl possessing energy in charge of Scottish Highland sports (6)

  18  Mouths it going up into exceptionally large area (5)

  19  Related to stale initially unsavoury docked grain (4)

Here is last week’s solution:

Back to general knowledge this week. If you would prefer to print a pdf or work on the interactive version of the crossword, click on this LINK which will take you to the Crossword Compiler website.

Across

            1            US Confectionary (7)

            5            For one specific case (2,3)

            8            Tales in verse for children (7,6)

            9            Institute legal proceedings against (3)

            10          Packaged food that requires only to be reheated (5,4)

            12          Without regard to drawbacks (6)

            13          Shaped like a solid six-sided figure (6)

            15          Decisive battle in the American Civil War (1863) (9)

            16          Female reproductive cells (3)

            18          Changed set of attitudes and beliefs (13)

            20          Goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match (5)

            21          A long, wandering, and eventful journey (7)

Down

            1            Fractional monetary unit of several countries (5)

            2            Small preschool for small children (7,6)

            3            Frozen desserts (3,6)

            4            United States space station; in orbit from 1973 to 1979 (6)

            5            Residue that remains when something is burned (3)

            6            Theory and practice of running a house and family (4,9)

            7            Having or resembling repeated square indentations like those in a battlement (7)

            11          Girl friend or sweetheart (5,4)

            12          Contrary to your interests or welfare (7)

            14          A quasi nongovernmental organization; (6)

            17          Disturb, especially by minor irritations (5)

            19          Primitive instincts and energies underlying all psychic activity (3)

Here is last week’s solution.