Cryptic Crossword November 2023

Across

1 Music from southern side of stage (5)

4 Admonishment of salesman reaching top of building (7)

9 When colourful body is never seen? (4,2,1,4,4)

10 He’d accepted Sally being full of spirits (7)

11 Organised romance in Italian city (7)

12 Some butter that is just right (3)

13 Lady be about first with hundreds then one more (7)

15 Holiest sort of politician in Zimbabwe (7)

16 Modernised aloft of old (7)

19 Fruit, a pear with core removed I put by bed (7)

21 Elf does not start to walk unevenly (3)

22 Interpreter once got the present in early English (7)

23 Of Easter cash pal exchanged (7)

25 Devilishly hot areas? (8,7)

26 Monarch’s fee? (7)

27 Many an American lily (5)

Down

1 Yield what one might do with sweets, say (7)

2 Said I otherwise included halfwit (5)

3 Magnificent with father or even older man (7)

4 Nothing removed from cloister decorated for widows (7)

5 Choirmaster before had gold money included (9)

6 Sherry from Oslo or Oviedo initially (7)

7 Kitty, one slightly daft is starting memorising adherence to a strictly orthodox religion (14)

8 Matriarch in convent? (6,8)

14 Bishop’s seat left in church (9)

17 Cook sea fish? (4-3)

18 Tirade about unknown type of roughage (7)

19 Shock about soldiers’ clothing (7)

20 In collusion with accountant laughs loudly (7) 

24 Seeing sense (5)

Prize Draw

A £20 book token will be awarded to the first correct cryptic crossword solution randomly selected from all correct entries received by the submission deadline. Entries should be addressed to: Life and Work (Crossword) 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN and should be received by November 14. The solution will be published in the December issue and the prize winner in the January issue.

Winner of September 2023 Cryptic Crossword

Miss Susan Riddell, Black Isle

Solution to October 2023 Cryptic Crossword

ACROSS: 1 Delilah, 5 Rebecca, 9 All over the place, 10 Athrob, 11 Doric, 14 Novice, 15 Racegoer, 18 Eurostar, 19 Octave, 21 Ho-hum, 23 Isaiah, 26 Portrait-painter, 27 Leeward, 28 Satanic.

DOWN: 1 Dean, 2 Lulu, 3 Leviticus, 4 Harare, 5 Rehoboam, 6 Biped, 7 Chairwoman, 8 Amen corner, 12 Antechapel, 13 Overcharge, 16 Eucharist, 17 Ratified, 20 Campus, 22 Maria, 24 Stun, 25 Croc.