Time taken: 9:15. Although that is a shade below my average time, a look at the early leaderboard makes me think I can declare this one an official Tricky Thursday.
Times Quick Cryptic No 3043 by Mara
Norman Stanley Fletcher
Times 29283 – being led a merry dance
I’m usually one to praise the setter for his work, but I have to say I wasn’t a big fan of this one.
Quick Cryptic No 3042 by Teazel
A moderate one from Teazel, I thought.
Quick Cryptic 3041 by Bjorn – an itsy bitsy teenie weenie bit tricky
I found this a bit on the harder side as indicated by my time of 12:55.
Times Cryptic 29282
I got off to a great start at the top of the grid but then slowed down drastically.
Times 29281 – Starfish on the beach
Definitely tougher than standard Monday fare.
Times Quick Cryptic 3040 by Wurm
A fairly straightforward offering from Wurm for the most part.
Mephisto 3384 – Cheese!
This was not terribly difficult, as is often the case with Paul McKenna puzzles, and I didn’t even need the pun to help me solve. The answer words are mostly well-known, although perhaps the meanings used here are a bit obscure.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5171 by David McLean — I hear ya
The presence of three (3!) homophone clues distinguishes this worthy offering as much as anything else.