Cryptic crossword No 1,592

Thank you for the puzzle! There's an interesting difference in standards between UK & US cryptics, which is that US ones usually don't allow double definitions where the two halves are from the same etymological root. I generally think that this rule can be unhelpfully strict, but it does provide a good way of testing how satisfying a double definition is. For example, here 4d (totally different meanings) is much more interesting and fun to me as a clue than 14d (v similar ones). Just a thought!

There was a lot I liked in this puzzle - 8a, 12a, 13a, 23a, 3d (I love an excruciating Spooner), 4d, 9d, 14d, 18d, 20d and the very neat 22d. There were a few I thought were weak, notably 10a and 2d; and 17d is so obscure that I don’t understand it even with the explanation. There’s a “to” in 20a which looks redundant. And one about which I shall moan spoilery in reply.

Good to see you back again so soon nanacat. As others have said lots to like ( for me 6a, 12a, 21a, 16d, 22d among others), but with some less successful clues too. I agree with most of the reservations expressed by the others, although I quite liked 17d in spite of the somewhat oblique cluing - the explanation made me smile too. Keep them coming - I like your style and you can only get better with practice. It's a balancing act, writing a concise and witty clue and some of yours are that.