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ACROSS

 1 Reading online periodical backwards is a fun activity (4)

 3 Pen divorce revision in capital (10)

10 Die tragically, interrupting work for a king (7)

11 Spotted records for sleep (3,4)

12 Foremost on our menu: crackers (6,3)

13 Fingering front of indentation (minor surface damage) (5)

14 Hymns might be an afterthought, something offered to the poor (6)

16 Superficially, skin irritations for singers? (8)

18 Revolutionary icon: baby or child on a ship (5,3)

19 Left-leaning Catholic nephew embraces writer (6)

22 Eruption if Thunder’s center were left among backup players (5)

23 Laid-back vacation’s souvenir? Indeed (9)

25 Puzzle: if it is too short, it could lead to prison violence? (7)

26 Father’s pitch for musical celebrity (3,4)

27 Basic alert: “enemy in turmoil” (10)

28 At first, get free space to put your letters (4)  

DOWN

 1 Adult woman’s clothing in set (7)

 2 Crazy morning with mistress… (5)

 4 …rated R, perhaps—and R is what, in Spanish? (6)

 5 Aristocrat’s price markdown, initially reduced by 99% (8)

 6 Blue feathers found at landfills (4,2,3,5)

 7 Prehistoric chili (note: it’s gone bad) (9)

 8 Naval officers: (7)

 9 Home for many people with a role to exploit: suppressing flavor in cigarettes, largely (9,5)

15 Where you might find medical professionals with unusual lab acumen (9)

17 Most cheerful stories cause a shock on the outside (8)

18 Treacherous clue about writing implement in a workspace (7)

20 Shady dealer hides last bit of money in sweater, vest and coat (7)

21 In return, made good item for infants (6)

24 Someone at breakfast is more tidy when starting late (5)  

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE NO. 3281  

ACROSS 1 anag. 8 PO(LYE)STER  9 C + APRI[l] 10 rev. hidden  11 UN(INSPI)RED (spin I anag.)  13 EM-[c]/PLOY-EES 15 AND + RE 16 anag. 18 TIDAL(W)AVE (validate anag.) 20 THEO + RI(O)LES  22 “bread” 24 O + CHER 25 [n]EXT + IRPATE (pirate anag.) 26 anag.

DOWN 1 BELL + YUP 2 [d]-OPE-D 3 EL + TON 4 HAR (rev.) + DNOSED (sodden anag.) 5 A(C)CEP + TABLE (pace anag.) 6 [red]-TAPE-RED 7 letter bank 8 PUT + REF ACTION 12 WON + DER + DR[a]UG (rev.) 14 EAT + NOM + EAT 17 “check off” 19 2 defs. 21 [c]ENTER 23 ORC + A