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Hi CD, I've just got it, it is 190 not 181.

........the maths was referring to the numerical values of the letters given in the preamble.

Aah, I see - too clever for me on Christmas morning!

That definitely was a bit different. Jockeyed it all into place in the end and got message and all the shading sorted. Still a couple where the parsing/definitions elude me, even though I know what type of clues they are. (32a One of the Hardy boys.... and 26d Unconvincing provider of online talks....).

In typical crossword coincidence, the definition for 40a cropped up in another crossword during the last couple of days, which made life a bit easier.

26d is beyond me too but for 32a you might find some succour from a trawl thru Tess of the d'Urbervilles

26a is a strange one. A three-letter acronym for an online talks network (Technology, Entertainment and Design). I've only ever seen it once before in a crossword. But soon we'll have zoom, goblin mode, etc. It's a Brave New World!

26d - unconvincing gives you 4 letters of the answer surrounded by the online talks

Not in my Chambers app as far as I can see but its good to have some clarification

Certainly not in Chambers, no

Thankyou, Jordan, Quisling and Candledave.

I had heard the term for the talks quite frequently but never really considered what they are or the online nature of them. I suppose these things take time to get into Chambers too.

The Hardy boys clue is, erm, unlikely to be parsed before solving. (Unless the solver is a big fan). 😄

Still, definitely a distinctly different feel to the whole crossword so, thanks Lionheart.