Shakedown

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Explanation only + Answers + Grid entries
Solution grid
PROCRUSTEAN RACONTEURS COURTESAN ETRUSCAN CENTAUR CURATE TRUCE ECRU CUE

Across

  • 1.
    S + PE(C)TER
  • 5.
    C(LI)ENT
  • 10.
    ARCHER (double def.)
  • 11.
    PO + INTER
  • 12.
    FOR + AGER
  • 13.
    RUG RAT ("tar gur" rev.)
  • 15.
    CAN(T)S
  • 18.
    IS + L + E
  • 20.
    CARTOUCHE ("to Chaucer" anag.)
  • 23.
    cOnNeCtEd
  • 24.
    S(PEN)T
  • 26.
    T + ERROR
  • 28.
    TRI(LATER)AL
  • 32.
    AU(TO)MAT
  • 33.
    staTES + TRUNcated
  • 34.
    EST + HER
  • 35.
    SEANCES ("as scene" anag.)

Down

  • 1.
    SAFER ("fares" anag.)
  • 2.
    PROFUSION ("in soup for" anag.)
  • 3.
    CHARRED ("chard" homophone)
  • 4.
    ERE + CT
  • 5.
    CO(GNAT)E
  • 6.
    LIST (double def.)
  • 7.
    INLET ("intel" anag.)
  • 8.
    N + EAR
  • 9.
    TRUSSED ("trust" homophone)
  • 14.
    AC + UTE
  • 16.
    NOON + E
  • 17.
    CHOCOLATE ("a cloche to" anag.)
  • 19.
    LOUd + SIESTa
  • 21.
    ACE + TATE
  • 22.
    FORLO + RN ("floor" anag.)
  • 25.
    P(L)ATH
  • 27.
    RITES ("rights" homophone)
  • 29.
    dRy + YES
  • 30.
    A(C)RE
  • 31.
    anticliMACtic