‘12/15’ (six words in total) is a quotation (in ODQ) suggested by the remaining unclued lights (two hyphened), whose fifth and sixth letters might give A NUN AMBROSIA. The surname of the quotation’s author will appear diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded.
Across
1 Scots bike across district in region round Israel and Arabia (8, two words)
9 Dour cretin upset MC (10)
14 Soldiers caught by sea-monster (3)
17 German cities Chinese judge snubbed (5)
18 Council is unknown to drop a clanger (5)
20 Scholars and priests having island for golf (7)
22 The Bard scrutinizes less English baskets (7)
24 Bobby missing Copenhagen, writhing in hell (7)
25 Scottish resort that’s a high spot? (5)
26 Dish Matilda cooked I’d put away (5)
28 Gang, say, with grand pension pot? (7, two words)
31 Lois mad about male Turk of Turkey (7)
33 Multinational got a letter from Greece (7)
37 Some local Gaelic wares (5)
38 Be an obligation of hero, bearing his second (5, two words)
39 Angel of death lazaret endlessly confounded (6)
40 Soldier’s short hair (3)
41 Treat zinnia to an artificial dwarfing (10)
Down
1 One of the 23 chanting what Mike composed? (13, hyphened)
2 An award for lack of energy (5)
3 Once Earth twice exploded in a distant epoch (6)
4 Sun-god above, always rising (5)
6 Newts and salamanders united and annoyed US city (7)
7 Bimbo spilt energy drink (6)
8 Thick noodle from Japan embraces classy noble from Spain (4)
11 Beef over opening disparity between supply and demand (9, two words)
19 Remove dirty dishes etc and empty out (9, two words)
21 Stand stationary on one leg (8)
23 Dotty husbands who are often in (7)
27 Outside yard near Norman city, behold butterflies (7)
29 Inferior son a long time tending swine (6)
30 Lively tar out...
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in