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Apologies, "first part of the answer" is what I meant.

Thanks Brendan

Well it’s been quite entertaining seeing how this one has foxed people in different ways, and seeing when the penny drops!
All the while various contributors have taken a subtle and considerate approach to referring to the key device without dropping spoilers but at the same time hinting at it just enough. Nice one!

It all adds to the joy of this accomplishment by Brendan. I wonder how long it took to put together such a pièce de résistance.

Thanks for posting!
Have a great weekend everyone

Well said FemmeNoire - See you next week:-)

Wow. Brilliant puzzle but would never have finished it without your help.
And am still stuck on 21a as it doesn't seem to fit the pattern , surely 18a,22a,24a and 25a give the correct word? I have P-C- for 21a.

FOI was 5a and COD probably18a.

I'd heard of 6a and 19d but not 25a.

It's never too late to learn!

Hi Aicram,

21a - It's the final 2 letters of the answer that are a homophone for the first letter of the second word in 13a.

Your letters are correct - definition is "quick" and you need to remove a 4 letter word of what doctors must never do/"a no no for doctors" from 'pharmacy'

Hi everyone

I'm officially exhausted! It's been greenhouse day, when we empty the green house completely, remove the bubble wrap and clean it out and wash the windows, We usually do this at the end of March, but given the seemingly endless frosts we've had to wait until now. We rarely get many frost in April in Devon. The last one should be tonight. It's been a lovely day here.

The above is to explain why I started the crossword so late (5.30pm) and my brain is not working as it should. Thanks to this thread, I've got quite a few and the theme, including the tree, which I know and the neck wear, which I also know. I've just got 12ac, but I'm stuck on the last three10ac, 4d and 8d Is there something special about 10ac I should know? I know it has to have a theme homophone. I don't know the Nabokov novel Pale Fire - do I need to?

I can only find one word that fits 8d, but can't parse it. Please help so I can fall asleep in front of Montalbano.

Hi Roof
Where abouts in Devon? I was born and brought up in Barnstaple.

10ac is an (unlikely) anagram.
4d definition is the first 2 words; it's then built up from the other bits.
8d definition is (surprisingly) shades

Hi Roof,

Believe it or not I was just thinking "where's Roof" and, hey presto, you appear:-)

10a - Is a straight anagram/"novel" - definition is "weapon"

4d - 2 letter "editor" + 2 letter "fighting American" + 2 letter "royalty" - definition is "less composed"

8d - A + single letter "quiet" + 5 letter "city" around an anagram/"changed" of 'into' - definition is "shades" as in 'ghosts'

Enjoy Montalbano 😉

Of course, I've googled it and just got 10ac. Not a word I know. And that has given me 4d. I just need an explanation for 8d