Yes, a bit of a shocker. It seems like there are more solvers with errors than usual, so it is very important to carefully follow the cryptics. I suspect this puzzle will have a NHO for nearly every solver, but it should be possible to come up with an all-correct grid if you are careful.
Author: vinyl1
Mephisto 3344 – Yes, about that fish you mentioned…..
This Mephisto did take a while. I was off to a good start on Saturday night, but then didn’t come back until Tuesday, when many of the answers suddenly became obvious.
Times 29035 – Department of tricky literals
Yes, the cryptics were not too bad, but the literals could be something else. I had to put on my Mephisto hat to finish this one, but since this is not Mephisto I couldn’t use Chambers to confirm my guesses. Solvers will either love this puzzle or hate it.
Mephisto 3342 – Time for some shopping?
Welcome, barred-grid fans. This one was a bit easier than usual, with many fairly common words in the answers. I finished in one sitting, taking a little more than an hour.
Times 29023 – Take it easy, either way…
Another easy Monday, although the preponderance of longish answers provided some challenges, along with some interesting words.
Mephisto 3340 – By a setter who prefers to remain anonymous!
I didn’t have much difficulty with this puzzle, and finished in one sitting. I had heard of many of the answers, but as usual the setter likes to use obscure meanings of common words.
Times 29011 – Wearing my Mephisto hat
After finishing off this week’s Mephisto and Sunday puzzle, I was ready for a light dessert. Unfortunately, this one proved a bit hard than usual, with some more advanced vocabulary.
Mephisto 3380 – “Oh, come aw ye tramps and hawkin’ lads…..
I didn’t find this Mephisto very difficult, and finished in one sitting. I did not parse all of the answers while solving, so now I’ll have to figure a few out.
Times 28999 – Foodfest!
Well, I raced through 90% of this puzzle in about 12 minutes, and then became thoroughly stuck. It can happen.
Mephisto 3336 – Thanks, Paul!
I always do well with Paul McKenna puzzles, and this was no exception. Although I didn’t finish it in one sitting, when I came back the next morning it was pretty to finish off.