Yes, we have two Mephisto blogs this week. This one is by Paul McKenna, and offers moderate difficulty. I solved it in one sitting, taking a little over two hours.
Author: vinyl1
Times 28483 – MacPherson’s Rant
This was quite a nice puzzle, with a number of original devices. It was easy only because I took the time to use the cryptics, which reward the solver very quickly.
If you’re looking for the Sunday Puzzle blogs….
…pleased be advised that the two puzzles published on December 18, the Sunday Jumbo Cryptic and Mephisto, are both prize puzzles with a deadline of midnight on December 31. The blogs will appear on January 1.
And now for the new bloggers!
As everyone is by now aware, Chris has decided to retire after nearly 9 years of blogging.
Mephisto 3250 – Coming down to the final Manleys
I found this puzzle pretty easy and finished in one sitting. The obscure words were not that obscure, and seemed highly likely What else could a lurdon be?
Times 28471 – Why the setter can’t find me!
I have to admit I did not find this very easy. I only got three of the across clues and three of the downs on my first run-through, which is not exactly encouraging.
Mephisto 3248 – “The staminate and pistillate….
Tim Moorey puzzles are typically more difficult – he likes to work the unlikely definitions of common words found in Chambers. This puzzle was no exception.
Times 28459 – One I didn’t get to!
We have here another easy Monday for experienced solvers. My time was certainly fast enough, and I’m sure the speedsters will be off to the races.
Mephisto 3246 – Prince turns over in his grave!
I didn’t find this too bad, and finished fairly quickly. I did biff quite a few, and researched them either while solving or when I came to write the blog.
Times 28447 – Down in the kitchen
I found this harder than usual for a Monday, and only got five across answers on the first read-through. Fortunately, the down clues were easier, and I gradually made progress.