Author: Guy du Sable

I was watching Saturday Night Live as I worked this (discovered that Billie Eilish’s birthday is the same as mine, the day this will go live in the United States), and the show was a … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4985, by Dean Mayer — Our plastic, 19 language”

…and I still didn’t finish this on Saturday night (it wasn’t a 3). As the remaining answers dawned the next day, I had to ask myself why this had seemed the most difficult of Bob’s … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4983, by Robert Price — One more cup of coffee”

Synchronicity! Not long after I had gotten comfy in front of my SmartTV to work this in my usual unhurried fashion, YouTube offered a video of a Thelonious Monk performance, which you can bet I … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4981, by David McLean — Straight, No Chaser”

…last of all, as it happened. Must have heard of this fellow before, though. He was quite an achiever. There is a charming note ending the online Britannica entry that I just had to include … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4979, by Dean Mayer — THE DOCTOR IS IN”

A painless and entirely successful operation! Inspired by 14—or just for the hell of it—I’m listening (via YouTube Music) to Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s fourth studio album, whose title I’ve copped for my headline. I … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4977, by Robert Price — Brain Salad Surgery”

I hope someone out there enjoyed this more than I did. Aside from a few clues—notably 7, with its smooth and very apt surface, and 19, which pointedly alludes to and whose entire surface could … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4975, by David McLean — just business”

You’d be well advised to bewareAnd cross this terrain with due care.The surface is calm,But maybe a bombIs lurking not far under there… This entry is dedicated to the American pullout from Afghanistan. I indicate … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4973, by Dean Mayer — Try to see… watch your step!”

This was a three-ring circus of delights, even including elephants. But seriously, folks, elephants are gradually achieving liberation from their long servitude to the spectacle. Perhaps we can still manage to save these magnificent creatures, … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4971, by Robert Price — cheeky as ever”

I didn’t work this in one go. Finished sometime Sunday (yesterday [last week]). It was striking that “man” or “men” was used in a few (clues or answers) and every time in a different sense … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4969 by David McLean — A man’s a man for a’ that”

Some tricky feints and lunges here to keep you on your toes. The two longest clues are CDs, and as usual they kept me guessing longer than most, especially 9. But my most protracted engagement … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4967 by Dean Mayer — En garde !”