Cryptic crossword No 681

Apologies - the published solution for 19d has crept in from an earlier version of the puzzle. The letter count is 7. Spoiler alert - correct solution in Reply.

Thanks Hex - does 19d clue need updating, it seems to lead to a different solution? Lots to like - perhaps a little anagram-heavy. Faves 10a, 24a, 3d, 26d. Annotations would be appreciated :-) Many thanks again Hex!

Annotations now available!

Very nice and tidy WP Hex. Quite straightforward quiptic level clueing (not a complaint or criticism at all). Saw Conto do your second on twitch stream last week, which made me want to have a look at this one. So it's a well done and keep it up from me. Thanks.

Hi Hex. First of yours I've done. Quite tightly clued. Quiptic like which actually makes some more tricky as there's so little to go on. Amongst those I liked: 9a, 17a, 28a, 5d, 13d (COTD for me), 26d. A couple of points with spoilers in Reply.

Nice one, Hex, agree with other comments - very tidy clueing. Favourites were 9a, 14a, 28a, 1d, 6d. As Fez says, a tad heavy on the anagrams but they’re all good clues, which is the most important thing.

Hex, as in #667, I enjoyed your preference for crisp clues. 7d and 13d were my favourites. I found this a little tougher than the previous one, and was glad to have the anagrams to help me through. Mild spoilers......

Rather late to this one Hex but I really enjoyed it. I know most editors wouldn’t accept so many anagrams but it doesn’t bother me particularly when they are so tidy as yours. I found it a very quick solve until I became horribly stuck in the NW, requiring a couple of reveals. Particularly liked 8A, 11A, 14A, 27A, 3D (COTD), 7D and 16D.

Thanks Hex, very enjoyable. As with your previous puzzles the clues are nicely compact here and the resulting difficulty is at a good level (for me at least!). Favourite clues were 8a, 28a, 1d, 16d and 19d. FYI you are able to edit the crossword after publication (and any changes are rather neatly tracked).