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I have ?N?M?L for 7 down. Am I on the right track?

I am still new to cryptics, first year of solving, so this is a pretty stern test for me!

Yes

Forgot my manners, siolag - welcome if you are new to this very helpful site!

I am reasonably new, I don't post a lot assuring the week I just do the Times Quick Cryptic and then try Everyman on a Sunday. Working up to getting The Times one done as well.

The Guardian puzzles are free online here:
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords
(though that's presumably where you found the Everyman?)
They do one every Monday called the Quiptic, was is about equivalent to the Times Quick Cryptic, and is often a lot of fun (watch out if the compiler is Anto, though!)
An advantage of the Guardian puzzles is that the compiler is always named, so, with experience, you have some idea of what style and tricks to look out for.

Welcome sialog.

You’re on the right track re 7d, the answer is another word for “brutal”. The means of getting to that answer are a little fiddly.

Hi, Chris!
Re your post no 8: I don't think the Everyman is normally "lazy", but you have perhaps picked a bad week for your first attempt at it.
There is a ridiculously high number of anagrams (even for this new setter) and today's puzzle is disappointingly much easier than usual.
( I prefer a bit of a struggle over a few remaining clues!)

Thanks elle. I thought it a bit off that the last 4 letters of 14a weren't hidden at all.
There were lots of anagrams in yesterday's Guardian Prize too, one of the reasons why it was unusually easy.

Morning all. Well if I can finish it before mid morning (not bragging honestly) then probably towards the easier end of the spectrum. Perhaps too many anagrams. Especially the scientists. 21a was annoying when I normally spell it with an 'h'.

You're welcome. Chris!
I didn't want you to go away with a wrong impression - more often than not , the Everyman is a great puzzle, very cleverly constructed, with all bits of the clue dovetailing very well.

And if I have parsed 25a correctly, then the setter does not know how to spell "McKellEn"!