DINGBATS CROSSWORD

This puzzle blends cryptic, concise and general knowledge clues – as well as picture clues from our Dingbats archive. Answer below.

Across

7 Term used of the French mafia, lit. surroundings or acquaintances (6) 8 and 21 Down See A (4-4,6) 9 Town in France, famous for lace, whipped cream and porcelain (9) 10 City in North Brabant in the Netherlands (5) 12 Duke with anger that’s dreadful (4) 13 Spend the night in the open (5,5) 16 – – – Mostel, actor in the 1968 film The Producers (4) 17 Ace donated tropical plant (5) 18 Long, narrow mark (4) 20 Author of 1965 stage play Saved (6,4) 22 Left-winger’s brisk pace (4) 23 Damien – – –, 1995 Turner Prize-winning artist (5) 25 1957 novel by Jack Kerouac (2,3,4) 27 More gin ordered by old chief (8) 28 Parent drunk in corner (6)

DOWN

1 See B (4,4) 2 1994 Grand National winning horse (10) 3 Support for the players? (5,6) 4 Biblical character murdered by his brother Cain (4) 5 Nicholas II was the last one of Russia (4) 6 See C (6) 11 See D (11) 14 Muse of love poetry in Greek mythology (5) 15 Eradicate (10) 19 Relating to the recently born (8) 21 See 8 Across 24 Kitty after second little bit (4) 26 Haing S. – – –, Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar winner for The Killing Fields (4)