Crossword

2444: Ones in the country

The unclued entries (three of two words, and two hyphened) share an origin  Across 1 Put an end to fight where you get a pinch (8) 12 Gold chain found in tangle (5) 14 Produce eggs to value somehow (7) 17 Panic in the manner of commandos (5) 22 Francophone settlers take from simple country

2443: Middle of the road

The unclued lights are of a kind. Chambers does not include 17D.   Across 4 New cabinet door which bears information (11) 11 Depict England captain Illingworth after drink (7) 12 Unploughed land where member takes in bad air (6, hyphened) 13 In France, he is in school, for the most part (9) 14 Good

2442: Don’t nod

Eight unclued lights are of a kind with the 3 of the 30. Elsewhere, ignore two accents.   Across 1    Nick is sound (5) 10    Category containing almost pure red rose (rambling) (10) 11    Universal spirit and life-force in Chinese city (6) 14    Lass did it, backed not by Pabulum (5) 15    Bill brightened retired

2441: To and fro

28 2, born in 36, is best known for 10 41 (four words). He also produced a 19, 11 (two words; ignore the apostrophe), remembering his 1D and his 43 30 25A.   Across 1 Suite has horrible gaps (8) 5 Covering article in material for publication (6) 12 One held on sofa perhaps right

2440: Dizzy tiny blonde

The unclued lights (as four pairs and a singleton which includes an abbreviation and apostrophe) are of a kind. 36 is an acronym and 10 includes an accent. Solvers should highlight a further themed title of two words hidden separately in the final grid.   Across 1    Sheriff’s officer’s wild spat during argument (8) 12   

2439: More nuts

‘10/17’ give the first three words of a statement (in ODQ) made by a famous 48/21. His works include 1A/23D (four words in total) and The 44. His forename is the remaining unclued light; the puzzle’s title suggests his surname. The fourth word (hyphened) of the statement will appear diagonally in the grid and must

Magical Mystery Tour

A quotation (in ODQ), starting on the  appropriate side of the grid, runs clockwise around the perimeter. The other unclued entries (one of two words, one of three words), will show solvers the event being described, interrupted by some disposals. The original author of the quotation, found in anagrams in symmetrical answers, must be highlighted,

2438: Shining bright

One clued solution (which solvers must highlight) can be linked with eleven unclued solutions, (one in the plural). Brewer confirms them all, even showing that two of them can be further linked as a trio, thematically too!   Across 5    Character in Eliot drama, also in the saga that inspired it (6) 9    Maladjusted, he

2437: Sketchy

The unclued lights (two of two words, one of which includes an apostrophe) are of a kind. Where alternative final letters occur, M and O are to be used, not T and I.   Across 11    Carpet salesman finished right at the front (7) 12    Rode at front, elevated as aid to driver (6, hyphened)

2436: The Devil’s Own

The unclued lights, including one of two words, comprise two adjectives and six  nouns. All share a common origin and are confirmed in Chambers.   Across 11    Prelude not quite within 24 hours (7) 12    Seen dancing without my extra turns (7) 14    Kind of horse judge impounds (6) 16    Number in Bow with many

2435: A little puzzle

Unclued lights, two of two words, are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Elsewhere, ignore two accents.   Across 12    Second horn and nail defective, and with one fewer hole in the head (10) 13    Champion forgetting wife’s secret (5) 14    Online mention special interest — all these replies! (7) 15    Still on the phone

2434: Eat it!

The unclued lights (two of two words), individually or as one pair, are of a kind.   Across 9    City call that reverberates (4) 11    A bouncer from evil European, reportedly (9, two words) 12    The Times with leaders only advocating German economic safeguards (4) 17    Explosive sounds of large swallows (5) 20    Petty quarrel

2433: House and garden

Across unclued lights (one of two words) combine with down ones to suggest the surnames of four famous English painters; the puzzle’s title suggests the name of a fifth. The fifth letters of these names form STARS. Elsewhere, ignore three accents.   Across 11    Leading soldier and cardinal are to stick together (6) 13    Uncouth

2432: Getting dry

Unclued lights (one of two words) give an event, its organiser, some participants, its winners, and the prizes.   Across 1    Stamp hard — everyone notices (8) 8    Men caught by a great beast (4) 13    Men impressed to receive hired waistcoats (6) 14    Elephants’ cup final? (7, two words) 15    Most frightening decay, in

2431: Pride of place

The unclued lights (two of two words) be paired and are linked by an anagram of the four letters in the yellow squares. Brewer verifies the theme.   Across 1    No stamp confused Pat. Could be him! (7) 6    Optical expert’s endless worry returning item for camera (7) 12    Gave notice of danger of now

2430: Petite traveller

19 October marks a milestone (hinted at by 19/26/20) for a person whose real forenames are given by 1A (three words). The other unclued lights (including two of two words, one being a toponym) suggest the titles of four of his works while the puzzle’s title suggests the title of a fifth. His real surname

2429: Homo

7A can be linked to nine unclued lights (three of two words, one of which repeats 7A) – in five cases as a prefix, in four cases as a suffix.   Across 7 Fifth of November and no old penny for the guy (3) 11 Engineer’s ancient letter stored by British Library (6) 13 Directions

2428: Tracks to the isles

The unclued lights (one of two words), individually or as two pairs, are of a kind. Elsewhere, ignore one accent.   Across 1           Groups of helpers providing accompaniments to pop-singers (8) 5           Trembling like fish (6) 14         Some weekend supplement (3) 16         Lionel wrecked ornamental metalwork (6) 17         Pack animal in a shopping plaza

2427: In other words

The unclued lights are of a kind, all confirmed in Chambers or Oxford. A portmanteau word (7) defining this phenomenon (verified in Oxford) must be highlighted in the completed grid. Ignore two accents.   Across 1    Fazed soldier losing face before VE Day (8) 8    Book musical with delayed start (4) 12    Playing records with

2426: Her love

The unclued lights (including one of three words, two of two words, and a pair) are names for or are connected with a character. Two further four-letter names hidden in one row must be highlighted.   Across 1    Discharge sailor to work out (7) 6    New mums with potential addition (7) 11    Bravo, cool dude (6, two words)