Cryptic crossword No 2,865
Tue 18 Nov 2025, set byLancastrian
3
Across
- Manifestation of figures is troubling: I'm a ghost, right? (9)
- Cursed and miserable, the crew died (8)
- Man who says "Miss, I'm only holding him" (5)
- Potato producer says "I owned a gardening implement" (5)
- Contract a wife? Good investment! (7)
- A way you opened with indifference (6)
- Edward and Arthur turned up to improve situation (5,2)
- Music of the 70s: the King is gone, but there's something to enjoy (3)
- Drag legend holding back scorer (5)
- Theeeerefooooore, I'm off (2,4)
- Bad rule's confusing? Tough! (7)
- Incel's made-up point is unsound? (7)
- London address gives Spooner tasty idea? (5,4)
- Son holding diamonds and hearts, in something figure-hugging (8)
- King Edward's lover, she's starting over in border town (5)
Down
- Close to victory, projection suggests triumph in photo finish (3,2,1,4)
- See 26d
- Hearing Michael's finished recording (3)
- Left in former capital (4,6)
- Hot? Yes, if turning and embracing the unknown (4)
- Breaking news: chocolate stolen - inside job? (6)
- Container's small and getting smaller (3)
- Beheaded Queen carries me back from whence I came (8)
- Rival golfer's call not right (3)
- Woman in a film in a man in a hood in a vessel in the morning in a storm (3,8)
- Create requirement for say, topless hobbit going back again (6)
- Looks worn by the French in any case (10)
- Square or hotspot or foremost part of capital (4)
- See 27d
- Frolic with sailor netting fish (8)
- Creep unhappy with God in legal action (10)
- Switch on/off as one after tainted meal prepared (6)
- Little beast giving lip to quiet copper (6)
Lancastrian has provided annotated solutions for this crossword.
Setter
Some fairly loose theming is explained in the first reply to this comment..
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