Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Cannot be reduced to hypocritical talk (4)

3. Pool’s fun when played in small measure (8)

8. Eager return of the prima donna (4)

9. Ban Clare going out to find a crustacean (8)

11. Winner taking road back over lump of fruit (8,4)

13. New desire to live (6)

14. Fastener for broken petals (6)

17. Must I use loan up at the same time? (12)

20. Ends risk of upsetting American Indians (8)

21. Insect with the right drink (4)

22. Lay a peer out when there’s another day (4,4)

23. Employed when previously owned (4)

Down

1. Bounder claims corpses (8)

2. Beginners without bad habits? (7)

4. Mountain-climbing police can be calm (6)

5. Top men into position, being all-powerful (10)

6. If returning to church take high-class shawl (5)

7. Was untruthful about song (4)

10. What the drug addict has on Boxing Day? (4,6)

12. Sun creed possibly criticised (8)

15. Character on the bow shows great skill (7)

16. Man returning index of verse (6)

18. Help Northern Ireland back an Asian country (5)

19. Spoken part of the Pastoral Symphony? (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Small rodents (4)

3. Alienate (8)

8. Not any (4)

9. Striking (8)

11. Laudable (12)

13. Sheen (6)

14. Cosset (6)

17. Specifically (12)

20. Hated (8)

21. Japanese mountain (4)

22. Proffered (8)

23. Network (4)

Down

1. Sole market control (8)

2. Solicit (7)

4. Astute (6)

5. Notable (10)

6. Nick (5)

7. Engrave with acid (4)

10. Writing desk (10)

12. Crustacean (8)

15. Scent (7)

16. Systematic plan (6)

18. Fireraising (5)

19. Prepare for publication (4)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Cotton socks; 9 Ocarina; 10 Amour; 11 Knack; 12 Checked; 13 Nobles; 15 Claret; 18 Bonanza; 20 Evade; 22 Least; 23 Stadium; 24 Happy medium.

Down: 2 Omaha; 3 Trickle; 4 Nuance; 5 Orate; 6 Knocker; 7 Cock-and-bull; 8 Credit terms; 14 Bandana; 16 Leeward; 17 Ransom; 19 Not up; 21 Adieu.

QUICK

Across: 1 Fluctuation; 9 Nurture; 10 Liven; 11 Inept; 12 Unnerve; 13 Ensure; 15 Aspect; 18 Scuffle; 20 Alibi; 22 Refer; 23 Sapient; 24 Remonstrate.

Down: 2 Large; 3 Cluster; 4 Useful; 5 Talon; 6 Obverse; 7 Anniversary; 8 Uncertainty; 14 Shuffle; 16 Scamper; 17 Versus; 19 Forgo; 21 Inert.