Weekend Quick Cryptic 92 - Solution

My fellow TimesforTheTimes contributors Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce Quick Cryptic crosswords to fill the gap left by the Saturday Times not having one. The plan is for us to take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below. Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on TfTT. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Before looking at the answers, if you would like some additional help, click the label below.

Hints and tips...

Some hints and tips:

• 10A The reckless driver is a character from a children's novel
• 2D The clue and answer are a nice example of playing on two different meanings - of "passing out".
• 15D the "unknown" is a symbol in a typical algebraic equation with more than 1 variable.

And click on this label to get the solution.

Solution and explanation of the answers...

Definitions underlined in bold italics, (Abc)* indicating anagram of Abc,{deletions} and [] other indicators.

Across
7 Love one in a suit (5)
HEART – Double definition, the first as in I ❤️ NY.
8 Kiss assailant? (7)
SMACKER – Double definition.
9 Cause of memory loss - is a name confused (7)
AMNESIA – (is a name)* [confused].
10 Reckless driver, we're told, recovered vehicle (5)
TOWED – Sounds like Mr TOAD  (reckless driver from Wind in the Willows)
11 In Minsk I spotted runners (4)
SKIS – Hidden in MinSK I Spotted.
12 Two princesses take in son - that's a terrible shame (8)
DISGRACE – S (son) in DI and GRACE (two princesses).
15 Resent poor Reg getting to move around (8)
BEGRUDGE – (reg)* [poor] in BUDGE (move)
16 Needing no introduction, the record is one by the Beatles (4)
HELP – {t}HE without the first letter [needing no introduction] LP (record).
19 Copying a phone alert (5)
APING – A PING (phone alert).
21 Give up on what a hat may have (7)
ABANDON – Double definition, the second a cryptic hint.
22 See ice does become treacherous (7)
DIOCESE – (ice does)* [become treacherous].
23 Make arrangements for queen to follow one who may look at her (5)
CATER – CAT (one who may look at her) ER (queen), the first referring to the proverb “A cat may look at a King/Queen”.
 
Down
1 Breaks rules in 100 qualifying event (6)
CHEAT – C (100 in roman numerals) HEAT (qualifying event).
2 GI with infant surprisingly passing out (8)
FAINTING – (GI infant)* [surprisingly). Nice play on the double meanings of “passing out”.
3 Hoard silver thieves are splitting halfway to start with (5)
STASH – Initial letters, [to start with], of Silver Thieves Are Splitting Halfway.
4 Transport from ancient city heartlessly (7)
CARTAGE – CART{h}AGE (ancient city) without its middle letter [heartlessly].
5 Create a bias towards Southern gardens (4)
SKEW – S (Southern) KEW (gardens). The Royal Botanic Gardens.
6 Card game - it could be pontoon (6)
BRIDGE – Double definition, the second a cryptic hint referring to a pontoon bridge.
8 Not leaving, Peter is avoiding danger (7,4)
STAYING SAFE – STAYING (not leaving) SAFE (Peter). The origin of Peter = safe is obscure. One source says “It's Cockney rhyming slang. A safe is called “a can”, which leads you in the obscure logic of East End language to be “Peter Pan” which is shortened to “Peter”. So a Peter man was a man who dealt with safes.” Believe that or not as you will.
13 Amusing story of crazy dance with broken toe (8)
ANECDOTE – A double anagram! (dance)* [crazy] followed by (toe)* [broken].
14 Was ahead after back-hander but messed up (7)
BUNGLED – BUNG (back-hander) LED (was ahead).
15 Leave one's mark on unknown spirit (6)
BRANDY – BRAND (leave your mark) Y (unknown, as in an algebraic equation).
17 Storeroom - sample item found there first? (6)
PANTRY – PAN (item found there) TRY (sample).
18 Lighter entertainment? (5)
MATCH – Double definition, although, as one of our test solvers pointed out a dull 0-0 draw may not be entertaining.
20 One revered, although lazy by the sound of it (4)
IDOL – Sounds like IDLE (lazy).