Cryptic 9x9 #1 by tuber

Comments

• tuber constructor · 2023-09-11T09:00:51.843Z

  Hi solvers, and I hope you had fun with this one. I'll try to do more 9x9s in future. Let me know how you got on in the comments below, your feedback's always welcome. In the meantime, here's the usual wash-up:

  ACROSS. 1A1AClean powder (4)[----]. Double def. 3A3AMoves quickly - it's nothing special at first (4)[----]. "nothing" = ZIP + first letter of "special". 7A7ADancing queen caught in cook's station (9)[---------]. Containment of anag. QUEEN + "caught" = C, all in cook = FRY. Def as in "radio station". 8A8ACould be down? Dad takes happy pill (7)[-------]. Containment of "happy pill" = E in "dad" = FATHER. 11A11ALife story's not straight, with zero plot and unsatisfactory conclusion (9)[---------]. "not straight" = BI + "zero" = O + "plot" = GRAPH + last letter of "unsatisfactory". 12A12ASomewhat tense, as you're too naive (4)[----]. Hidden in "tensEASYoure". 13A13ALittle bird's gutless whisper leads to endless noise (4)[----]. Outer letters of "whisper" = WR + first letters of "endless noise" = EN.

  DOWN. 1D1DSkillful but fed up with deceit, ultimately (4)[----]. Reversal of "fed" = DEF + last in "deceit" = T. 2D2DBony things, knees - lots broken (9)[---------]. Anag. KNEESLOTS. 4D4DMore central, welcoming to look up hotelier (9)[---------]. Containment of "look" = PEEK, reversed in "more central" = INNER. 5D5DGets bogged down, we hear, in dreadful river (4)[----]. Homophobe of "gets bogged down" = STICKS. 6D6DScavenger's victory: carbon-negative lifestyle? (7)[-------]. "Victory" = V + removal of "carbon" = C from "lifestyle" = CULTURE. 9D9DDonuts bishop swallowed by first emitting wind? (4)[----]. Containment of "bishop" = B in "donuts" = OO + first letter of "emitting". 10D10DSing the praises of that guy out loud (4)[----]. Homophone of "that guy" = HIM.
• squicc 🤓11:09 · 2023-09-12T01:27:50.284Z

  Another great one. I like this size. 8A8ACould be down? Dad takes happy pill (7)[-------] took me the longest but as with all cryptics a big Doh! once it dawned on me.

  • tuber constructor · 2023-09-12T14:49:36.624Z

    Thanks! Glad you liked it
• El Gordo 42 11:49 · 2023-09-12T03:42:36.092Z

  That was a good one. Not easy clues for many words, but all are fair play. Looking forward to more 9x9s.

  • tuber constructor · 2023-09-12T14:49:52.424Z

    Cheers!