Category: Mephisto

Greetings barred-grid fans. I thought this was a little easier than the last few Paul McKenna puzzles with fewer tricky wordplay elements.  As usual for Paul McKenna there is a little treat in the top … Read more “Mephisto 3243 – Paul McKenna”

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.  

Greetings, barred-grid fans. Let’s start with the news – it was announced with the publication of this puzzle that when Don Manley steps down from Mephisto early next year that there will be two new … Read more “Mephisto 3241 – Don Manley”

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. 

Greetings barred-grid fans. I remember having quite a bit of difficulty finishing this one and looking up several wordplay elements in Chambers. I think I have it all sorted out for the blog, fingers crossed. … Read more “Mephisto 3239 – Tim Moorey”

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.

I found this one tricky, particularly as I was looking to confirm everything in advance of writing up the blog – there are a few biffable from definition. I am not 100% on what is … Read more “Mephisto 3237 – Paul McKenna”

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.   

Greetings barred-grid fans. Another fine puzzle from Don Manley where the wordplay falls into place neatly.  There’s not as many unusual words in the grid, so I expect most will find this at the easier … Read more “Mephisto 3235 – Don Manley”

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.