Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Monkeys messed about in a lot of paste (4)

8. Broken rifles wrapped in a sheet? Such frivolous talk! (10)

9. Think too much of excess tax? (8)

10. Girl going to the North - there’s nothing odd about it (4)

12. Avaricious - and wasplike? (6)

14. Shot peppered round the doctor but left him unruffled (6)

15. Fred, having swallowed pear core, is worried (6)

17. Writer of a letter in Greek to Roman emperor (6)

18. Country may keep erupting internally (4)

19. They keep one from seeing the obvious (8)

21. You may need them before setting out in one of them (10)

22. Appear a sound joint (4)

Down

2. Sleuth – Holmes, perhaps, but not Maigret (7,3)

3. Down-at-heel encouragement? (4)

4. It’s dry around most of the year - but dull (6)

5. Temptresses who make a row in police cars (6)

6. Tory satellite, a rare event (4,4)

7. It takes more than one to fill you full of energy (4)

11. Undertaking to come in quietly and stand up (10)

13. Brought up rude turn for rewriting (8)

16. Young ladies coming out about it - they’re in the red (6)

17. Pen for forgers, perhaps (6)

18. Cases for plant produce! (4)

20. X! (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Elapse (4)

8. Rather (10)

9. Tirade (8)

10. Drill (4)

12. Agile (6)

14. Abrade (6)

15. Frank (6)

17. Rouse (6)

18. Fairy (4)

19. Rude (8)

21. Ministry (10)

22. Dispatch (4)

Down

2. Wipe out (10)

3. Blemish (4)

4. Resolve (6)

5. Alcove (6)

6. Savage (8)

7. Model (4)

11. Character (10)

13. Sheets, etc. (3-5)

16. Delicacy (6)

17. Use (6)

18. Tube (4)

20. Boys (4)

Monday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 7 Truce; 8 Ominous; 9 Militia; 10 Dales; 12 Touch and go; 15 Balderdash; 18 Might; 19 Mastiff; 21 Tendril; 22 Angle.

Down: 1 Stamp album; 2 Build; 3 Felt; 4 Mosaic; 5 Windlass; 6 Collide; 11 Shop-lifter; 13 Overturn; 14 Flagons; 16 Dimple; 17 Ridge; 20 Stab.

QUICK

Across: 7 Reach; 8 Promise; 9 Empower; 10 Wrest; 12 Subterfuge; 15 Heartiness; 18 Point; 19 Tactics; 21 Squeeze; 22 Suave.

Down: 1 Friendship; 2 Happy; 3 Show; 4 Spirit; 5 Forwards; 6 Hideous; 11 Trespasser; 13 Untether; 14 Saviour; 16 Nether; 17 Vital; 20 Cosy.