Weekend Quick Cryptic 107 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Quick Cryptic crosswords. We 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:

• 8A is a musical clue.
• The towers in 1D aren't actually found on a Minster.
• 5D Peter is a Beatrix Potter character.
• 13D is an unusual word but the wordplay is clear

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
1 Evangelist's rating (4)
MARK – Double definition
3 Faint security measure? (5,3)
BLACK OUT – Double definition
8 A B C D F or G? (4)
NOTE – Cryptic definition. All the musical notes in the key of C major, but NOT E.
9 A city obsession - the possibilities are boundless (8)
ANYTHING – A NY (New York; city) THING (obsession).
11 Thinking quietly about one's image (10)
REFLECTION – Double definition.
14 Sadly inept, I use this when dressing formally (3,3)
TIE PIN – (inept I)* [sadly].
15 Maroon thread (6)
STRAND – Double definition.
17 Seeking perfection, I meet crazy ladies with nervous twitch (10)
IDEALISTIC – I, (ladies)* [crazy] TIC (nervous twitch).
20 Visibly upset, I get data processed (8)
AGITATED – (I get data)* [processed].
21 Ascetic resident of Jellystone (4)
YOGI – Double definition, the second YOGI Bear.
22 Pull up suddenly, unhappy about wrecked depot (4,4)
STOP DEAD – (depot)* [wrecked] in SAD (unhappy).
23 Unknown churchman loses his head (4)
ANON – {c}ANON (churchman) without the first letter.
 
Down
1 Building a minster’s towers (8)
MINARETS – (a minster’s)* [building].
2 Gave formal consent to India after I'd gone mad (8)
RATIFIED – (I (India in phonetic alphabet) after I’d)* [gone mad].
4 Dimension leading explorers never get to handle at the start (6)
LENGTH – Initial letters of Leading Explorers Never Get To Handle.
5 Thread to follow Peter’s sister (10)
COTTONTAIL – COTTON (thread) TAIL (follow).
6 Poet's overdose around six (4)
OVID – VI (six) in OD (overdose).
7 Strung as evenly, they provide marine power (4)
TUGS – Alternate letters of sTrUnG aS.
10 Late, as a polite cough may be (10)
BEHINDHAND – BEHIND HAND (as a polite cough may be).
12 Depressed actors finish off their drinks (4,4)
CAST DOWN – CAST (actors) DOWN (finish off their drinks).
13 Drawing out non-adult training (8)
EDUCTION – EDUC{a}TION (training) without the A (adult).
16 Arrived before artist could be shot with this (6)
CAMERA - CAME (arrived) RA (artist).
18 Obstructs watering holes (4)
BARS – Double definition.
19 Artist is some rising minor impressionist (4)
MIRO – Reverse hidden in minOR IMpressionist.