Post Mortem

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Explanation only + Answers + Grid entries
Solution grid
Asterisked clues sent a letter to the Dead Letter Office.

Across

  • 1.
    CAB-ALA
  • 5.
    S(al)T-(p)EPPE(r)
  • 9.
    *D(RUG)-GIST
  • 10.
    E(X-C)EL
  • 12.
    *GRAPHICALLY (anag.)
  • 13.
    *HEURISM (anag.)
  • 14.
    SCATS (double def.)
  • 17.
    *FREES (homophone)
  • 18.
    SIFT (anag .)
  • 19.
    *STRE-P (anag. + p)
  • 21.
    BLUE (homophone)
  • 24.
    BASIN(g)
  • 26.
    *G-HER-KIN
  • 28.
    CONTRA(LT)OS (cartoons anag.)
  • 29.
    *R(OlL)ED
  • 30.
    C(ELEST)A (steel anag.)
  • 31.
    CYPRUS (anag.)
  • 32.
    *CORSAIR (hidden rev.)

Down

  • 1.
    *CARTHORSE (anag.)
  • 2.
    A-UGUR (anag. + a)
  • 3.
    *AGA(INS)T
  • 4.
    (l)LIPS (rev.)
  • 5.
    STIR (hidden)
  • 6.
    EX-ACTS
  • 7.
    *PEYOTE (anag.)
  • 8.
    ELLS (anag.)
  • 11.
    *CLA(VIC)LE (a cell anag.)
  • 15.
    A-EROS-OL
  • 16.
    *STERN-WARD
  • 20.
    *POINTER (double def.)
  • 21.
    BAR(T)ER
  • 22.
    *PA(C-IF)Y
  • 23.
    VISTA (anag.)
  • 24.
    BLOC (hidden)
  • 25.
    ARCS (anag.)
  • 27.
    *HELL-0