Laddergram

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

The laddergram is: START-STARS-SEARS-SEERS-SEEDS-SENDS-FENDS-FINDS-FINIS.

Across

  • 1.
    BEDLAM: BEDLAM (anag.)
  • 5.
    SYRIA: S-YRIA (rev.)
  • 9.
    TOADSTOOLS: TO(ADS)-TOOLS
  • 10.
    SAGS: SAG-S (rev.)
  • 11.
    MUKLUK: MUKLUK (homophone)
  • 12.
    REEF: REEF (anag.)
  • 13.
    LEARNED: L(EARN)-ED
  • 14.
    SLEW: SLEW (double def.)
  • 19.
    URSA: U(R)SA
  • 21.
    ADDENDA: A(DDE)ND-A
  • 23.
    SING: SIN-G
  • 25.
    BURGLE: BU(R)GLE
  • 26.
    CELL: CELL(o)
  • 27.
    ADOLESCENT: A(DOLE)SCENT
  • 28.
    NONET: NO-NET
  • 29.
    VERSUS: VERSUS (hidden)

Down

  • 1.
    BASALT: B-A-SALT
  • 2.
    DOGEARS: DO-GEARS
  • 3.
    LASERS: LASERS (homophone)
  • 4.
    ADORN: ADORN (anag.)
  • 5.
    STURDY: STU(R)DY
  • 6.
    YOKES: Y(OK)ES
  • 7.
    ROLE: ROLE (homophone)
  • 8.
    ASKEW: ASK-EW ("we" rev.)
  • 15.
    LINDENS: LIN(D)ENS
  • 16.
    EAGLET: EAGLET (anag.)
  • 17.
    FENCER: FEN-CER (homophone of "sir")
  • 18.
    DALLAS: DAL(L)AS (rev.)
  • 19.
    URBAN: (t)URBAN
  • 20.
    ANGLE: ANGLE (double def.)
  • 22.
    DEUCE: D(E)UCE
  • 24.
    IRON: IRON (double def.)