A very enjoyable puzzle by (I think) Philip "Shamus" Marlowe, whose puzzles I love (I also do his "Sleuth" puzzles in the FT).
I solved 30 clues in good time without even having to refer to my trusty Chambers but I have hit a brick wall with these last two:
28a Terrific man with term of endearment in US city (7 letters)
H _ L _ _ _ A
26d Titled figure appointed to entertain king (4 letters)
_ _ _ E
It's funny that these two clues have taken me longer than the rest of the puzzle combined. I can't see the wood for the trees with these two. Maybe it's the apprehension over my colonoscopy tomorrow!