This was harder than the last two that I’ve blogged. The clues are as usual quite succinct and very often deceptive by the most subtle kinds of misdirection.
Author: Guy du Sable
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5143 by David McLean — Have yourself a merry little Christmas 🎵 🎶
A bag of assorted holiday candy that arrived a few days early.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5141 by David McLean — Far-out!
I can’t remember having ever worked a puzzle by Harry so quickly. Maybe I just hit the clues in the order right for me, because, on review, I note that there were plenty of tricky moves here.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5139 by Dean Mayer — prickly patches
Several of these kept me guessing a while. There were three unknowns, from the worlds of sports, entomology and botany.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5137 by Robert Price — bloody good
I don’t remember having much trouble with this one, once I finally got started. It is, at least, all clear on looking back.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5135 by David McLean — “be careful today”?
Although this was a Harry Sunday, I didn’t struggle much, assisted no doubt by the generous helping of anagrams (seven!).
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5133 by Dean Mayer — Some twists and turns
…but overall rather straightforward, I thought, a quicker than usual trip from Dean.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5131 by Robert Price — lies on TV?!
Some tasty stuff served up here, and it all went down fairly easy.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5129 by David McLean — didn’t fail to impress
I had an issue or two with this one, but nothing that impaired my considerable enjoyment.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5127 by Dean Mayer — neural plasticity test
I think I passed! A few definitions—as parts of clues and for an entire answer—really had me stretching.