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Completed it now. Despite the obvious hint in the extra wordplay for the eight symmetrical clues and the oblique reference in one of the other clues, I had completed the grid,and it was only when the misprint for the first letter of the eponymous hero of the 18th. century novel had been resolved, that I identified that character, and the theme became apparent. However, this crossword was considerably easier than the last two.

Thanks, s_pugh; I see it now!

All done except...how does 10d work?
Left spades away from wood found on farm (3)

Xwordfan, be sure you have the right answer as there are two that fit the definition. The right one is a light wood used in model aeroplanes, missing L and S.

Many thanks Murky!

All done and ready to send. However...I am having problems with the words formed by the wrong letters in the down clues.
7 down is A? 8 is U. 10 is S. 23 is E?
Have I something wrong? What is the word. Any help appreciated.

I found this comparatively easy. I only complete about one in three of the puzzle.

Hi Martyn. Munchausen, a baron with lots of fantastic stories which no-one believed. Now used as a medical term for an attention-seeking syndrome. After that the words are 'of beef'. Look up baron in TCD.

Many thanks Meursault. You are always so helpful.

What an odd phrase to use!

I had never heard of that phrase and had convinced myself that the commonality really must be LAW until I put the words to my wife, ending with “and rather oddly....Munchausen”. She seemed to think it was obvious. Yes, a pleasant relief as the last two sit at 95% complete after too many hours. Didn’t even need to crack open the new hardback Bradford’s I got for Father’s Day. Not that I didn’t need the two halves of my dilapidated paperback version. 8-)

They are all ganging up on Emcee on the AB site. Because he posted this : "A bit too easy for the Listener; I do feel that easy puzzles are important to encourage beginners but think this puzzle was, perhaps, more suitable for another paper. I guess I've been spoilt with the offerings from Ifor and Sabre whose construction times must have been far greater than this setter's."

One of the responses, from Ruthrobin (who solves the puzzle with a partner and therefore should never qualify for the TTT), suggests that if she doesn't have anything good to say, she says nothing. Which kind of took me by surprise, because several years ago she was sending me e-mails saying that I was obsessed. I think, before I blocked her from sending further e-mails, my response was, "rich for you to say..." ...but doesn't accusing another person of being obsessed fall into the category of negativism ?

Emcee, I think you'd be welcome back on here should you choose...