Well, started to do the wrong puzzle, anyway. I printed off the correct puzzle, but failed to clip it to my clipboard, and sat down for a Sunday evening solving session.
Author: vinyl1
Mephisto 3242 – Tall tails
While there were some typical Mephisto clues here, quite a few of them were deceptively simple. Whenever the solver was expecting something complex, the setter offered something ridiculously simple.
Times 28423 – Back in cryptic kindergarten
This was a rather simple Monday puzzle which quickly yielded up its secrets. The SNITCH is at 63, and that’s just about right.
Mephisto 3240 – Dearly bought
This one was definitely on the tougher side, and I was please to be able to finish after considerable struggle. I did biff quite a few, and the pun was very helpful.
Times Cryptic 28411 – What the pup pays?
Well, another easy Monday. Getting the four long ones quickly was really very helpful, but even the interior of the grid was relatively straightforward.
Mephisto 3238 – Closed-book exam time!
Whenever I set up to solve a Mephisto, I naturally have my copy of Chambers at hand. Normally, I look through all the clues and answer all the obvious ones (well, obvious for Mephisto) before I get serious and start checking in the dictionary for possibly relevant words, either for the wordplay and the answer.
Times 28399 – To the moon!
This was a typical Monday puzzle, and I whipped through it without parsing some of the clues. It was a big help to see three of the four long ones almost instantly, which gave me plenty of crossing letters.
Mephisto 3236 – Biffed it right, this time!
This one wasn’t too difficult for a Tim Moorey. There were at least a few fairly straightforward clues to get the solver started and provide crossing letters.
Times 28387 – Hey, Mr Jagger, this was a bit difficult!
I had intended to attribute the problems I had with the puzzle to the Bank Holiday, but upon checking the calendar I find that was last week. I didn’t help myself by biffing estaminet with two checkers, even though that is an old cafe and not an old hotel.
Mephisto 3234 – The bureaucrat of Middle Earth
I didn’t find this too bad, but had to give up and leave a few until the next morning. I filled in the bottom readily enough, but the top half was a little more challenging until I had a sudden breakthrough with the fear and the centre of excellence.