CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across 8.

Hope can’t come from an empty tomb (8)

9. Go along with one such vessel as a frigate (6)

10. Warlike spirit one stoic may have in his belly (11)

11. It may be confining an author (3) 13. Sh! It’s not Shaw’s version of The Birds (5)

15. Hob with two possible lots in a Scottish town hall (9)

17. Chemical insecticide or a pong he has top variety of (15)

19. Confines one to the monastic walks (9)

21. British county town gives alternate characters that turn up room (5)

23. One could be sick of such a scanner (3)

24. It makes up for Monet’s space composition (11)

27. The men and women who inhabit the land (6)

28. Was touchingly dotty in the way one put coat on (8)

Down

1. If ever dice were thrown by one so tricky! (8)

2. Kitty put resources together (4)

3. Hastened to church spread in America (5)

4. His trophy is tape of his work massaging his patients (15)

5. Make fruitful life? Tries to! (9)

6. There’s a hole in one of the cards (3)

7. Whisky and brandy are such fiery spirits (6)

12. If it’s clean and pure to eat, it’s genuine (6)

14. Gum the numerals we use (6) 16. Held over the correspondence, one being about to be paid (9)

18. Aimed at great change, the unruly 50s adolescent (8)

20. How the wealthy get burdened – with drink? (6)

22. A trick by an old buffoon (5)

25. Range where some of the gunners play up (4)

26. Secretly ascertain the odds at the off before Derby finishes (3)