Author: dorsetjimbo

Reasonably straightforward puzzle of no more than average difficulty Across 1 HAAR – H(A)AR(wich); sea mist on the east coast; 4 MONICKER – MO(N-I)CKER; name=N; a nickname; 10 ESCHEWALS – E-SCH-(wales)*; 12 ACTED – (fr)ACTED; … Read more “Mephisto 2936 – Paul McKenna”

I found this relatively straightforward with some clear wordplay leading to the derivation of solutions Across 1 GASCONADE – G(AS-CON)ADE; Consevative=CON; cod (family)=GADE; boasting; 10 DRY,ICE – D-R(Y)ICE; 11 THANAS – S(A-NAH)T all reversed; police … Read more “Mephisto 2934 by Don Manley”

Reasonable middle-of-the-road puzzle which gave no particular cause for comment. Across 1 FROW – FROW(ning); 4 LEMPIRAS – L(EMPIR(e))AS; supreme control=empire; the Spanish-speaking=LAS; CA capital=money in Honduras; 10 RUFIYAA – (fury)* surrounds I – AA; … Read more “Mephisto 2932 by Tim Moorey – next time Bluebottle”

A mixture of the easy and the rather more opaque. I seemed to spend more time than usual checking entries in Chambers to support meanings in clues (eg 11A). Also, I’d never heard of the … Read more “Mephisto 2930 – Paul McKenna-Donn Reynolds and the Nicaraguan Resistance”

Pleasant if straightforward puzzle Across 3 PERU,BALSAM – (as a plumber)*; thick black liquid (not from the Liffey); 11 TENUE – TENU(r)E; manner of dress; 12 CAPUERA – CAPU(t)-ERA; head=caput; martial art and dance; 13 … Read more “Mephisto 2928 by Don Manley – strewth – wot no rats!”

A puzzle distinguished by its most unusual grid which is 12×12 but has only 24 lights with four five letter words the shortest answers. An interesting piece of compilation. I found it relatively easy because … Read more “Mephisto 2926 by Tim Moorey – who needs 3 and 4 letter words?”

Nothing to frighten the horses here, just a steady standard solve. I need help on the cryptic for 26D. Across 1 BARRE – BA(R)RE; R from (shoote)R; a capo on a guitar; 5 KNUCKLE – … Read more “Mephisto 2924 – Paul McKenna”

With 1D an easy anagram and both 2A and 7A write-ins this was a relatively quick solve. About 25% of the clues are full or partial anagrams. Only one query – the definition at 34A … Read more “Mephisto 2922 by Don Manley – Body Parts from Grantsdale”

Standard middle of the road puzzle with no queries or hold-ups or (amazingly) Scottish words Across 1 CHAMB – CH-A-MB; check=CH (chess); abbreviation of Chamberlain; 5 FI,DONC – FI-DON-C; cocaine=C; Latin tag for “shame”; 11 … Read more “Mephisto 2920 by Tim Moorey”

An interesting puzzle of about average difficulty slightly marred by lights 3D,4D,5D and 16D showing format of two word solutions. With 40 clues in total it is also slightly larger than usual. I’m not wholly … Read more “Mephisto 2918 – Paul McKenna”