SOLUTION TO PUZZLE No. 8607:

1 Smoking jacket; 8 Manatee; 9 Undated; 11 Noodle; 13 Anathema; 15 Rides; 16 Layette; 18 Perugia; 19 Tight; 21 Emigrate; 23 Reform; 25 Sit-down; 26 Oration; 28 Breaks through.

2 Mangold; 3 Kit; 4 Need; 5 Journeyman; 6 Cadet; 7 Extreme; 8 Mindreaders; 10 Draughtsman; 12 Loser; 14 Flagstones; 17 Tithe; 18 Pointer; 20 Growing; 22 Rhoda; 24 Moth; 27 Ago.