Cryptic crossword No 402

Welcome to mycrossword overseer. If that's your first ever crossword I'll eat my hat. Either way well done on an impressive debut here. Some decidedly chewy wordplay. I particularly enjoyed 10A, 12A, 21A (very nice), 31A, 1D, 2D, 15D and 20D. SPOILERS in reply

For those who like that sort of thing, I should mention that there is a bit of a theme. (It started off a few words to get the grid started, but found its way into a few of the surfaces.) SPOILERS in reply.

Great to see you here overseer, and being familiar with your work at DIYCOW (and elsewhere) the quality of this puzzle does not surprise me at all! I think that makes 5 from DIYCOW here now. Lots of great clues, but if I had to pick favourites: 1A, 21A, 29A, 1D, 5D, 6D and 8D. Couple of spoilers in reply.

Splendid debut puzzle overseer. Verging on the professional in terms of creativity and distribution of clues. Plenty to tick with highlights including 14a, 21a, 29a, 31a, 1d (learned something new), 5d, 7d, 14d, 17d (COTD for me, I think), 23d, 26d. On several occasions, I found myself staring at a solution with all the crossers and still racking my brains to find the answer - and then seeing it which, for me, is a mark of a tough but fair style. Congratulations. SPOILERS IN REPLY

Lovely puzzle. 13d is a cracker. Other favourites were 29a 21a 24a 17d 5d and 8d. Lots of other good clues and neat surfaces. Cheers

Nice job, Overseer, some fine clues here - particular favourites were 1a, 10a, 14a, 30a, 5d. Couple of spoilers in reply…

Thanks overseer, a fun puzzle with a nice variety to it. In particular I liked 12a, 21a, 5d and 23d but really I enjoyed the whole thing...

Hi overseer. Came here from your link in the DIYCOW competition. Loved it all. Lots of clever tricks. Beaten by 27d