Cryptic crossword No 2,249

PREAMBLE: This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s a neat solution to the special instructions for those who do persevere! I recommend starting with the entirely normal down clues to provide some crossers, or some of the simpler across clues (11a, 12a, 23a etc). HINT follows below, with FULL SOLUTION thereafter…

Hahahahaha, I'm three 'special' clues in and I *think* a big penny just dropped! Will now test the theory... 😁

Love it. Took me 8 clues to get 13a but it's been a nice trip there nonetheless

Exactly the same comment as Henri, word for word ... 😉

Great stuff tpg! What Henri said re the deceit. Very cleverly done! I failed to get 14a (guessed a different synonym of ‘passed on’, albeit with little confidence) and 15a until I revealed the first letter but then the parsing eluded me. Very well pitched I thought - for the most part, the acrosses weren’t too tricky. Favourites: 8a, 12a, 18a, 26a, 2d, 7d (COTD), 17d and 24d. Thanks!

Enjoyable crossword, can't believe I missed 1d. Favourite surfaces are 3d, 6d, 7d and 13d.

Thanks tpg for a masterful crossword. I got the trick early by mostly solving the across clues first --- they were easier for me. It took awhile to figure out the 'missing' 13a & I needed your hint to fully realise the beauty of this. I revealed 13d & couldn't parse everything but I had many favourites including 26a, 2d, 3d, 7d, and 19d. Good stuff!