One artist’s ten-word comment on a critic runs round three sides of the perimeter; who spoke of whom fills the top line. Other unclued lights name two works by each: two of three words each, one pair, and one pair totalling four words.
Across
10 Insignificant type dropped in a river? That’s enough! (8)
12 Tough not to sound disgusted (3)
13 Secret agent holds the floor (5)
14 Creature has cuckoo sickness (6)
15 Thin, I am ordered a vitamin (7)
17 Fallen angel’s joy cut short on Earth (5)
19 A little bit of thanks to the Moon (4)
20 Old simpleton’s new beginning (4)
23 Witness takes in launch of missile: duck! (4)
25 A network assembled at rocky ridge (5)
26 Quiet, even radiance (5)
29 Artist embracing darling girl (5)
31 Sort of lip mike, originally one that’s found in sultan’s house (5)
32 Monarch remains impulsive (4)
33 On the edge, a chink (4)
34 Make to secure notice that runs round the room (4)
38 In Iberian city, run house (5)
39 Pig (mine) wrong to trespass (7)
40 Carried over island (6)
41 From the east, chap that is retained as a friend (2,3)
43 Avoid eating a little fish (3)
Down
2 Posh officer finally reduced (3)
3 Persistently annoy cobra over time (3,2)
4 Repair and set up game controller on computers (5)
6 Occasionally steps round down with swimmer (3,4)
7 Very poor editing – fired (7)
11 Cancel meal, might one say, for watery spirit (6)
21 Bald, shone moving light on top (3-6)
22 Head of nick has to open up for release (6)
24 Extra retentive, say, like a glacial deposit (8)
27 Carpet laid out for empress once (7)
28 In one day husband and I get together: I produce a kid (3-4)
30 Speaks of zero levels of VAT (6)
36 Film about Mrs French, a social creature (5)
37 Tongue and chin distinctly defective (5)
42 Blossom edible root put up (3)
Download a printable version here.
A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on 13 May. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2651, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.
Apologies that last week’s 1 Down clue was missing. It should have read:
Wearsider leaves capital with mother before noon (3,4)
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