Master Theorem returns // Ron Swanson, jigsawer // Escape from the Playa

This Saturday sees the launch of Mark Halpin’s annual Labor Day Puzzle Extravaganza. I was introduced to Halpin’s work two years ago, when I helped some friends with the 2014 set. Ever since, my wife and I have been slowly exploring his back catalog (see below), which is

This Saturday sees the launch of Mark Halpin’s annual Labor Day Puzzle Extravaganza. I was introduced to Halpin’s work two years ago, when I helped some friends with the 2014 set. Ever since, my wife and I have been slowly exploring his back catalog (see below), which is deep and full of some of the most elegant word and logic puzzles I’ve ever seen. Read on for links to the LDE — and other good stuff.

Puzzler

Name a longtime TV personality. Remove three consecutive letters from the middle of his name, along with the space, and you’ll get the last name of a modern American writer. Who are these people?

Puzzles on the web

The Master Theorem returns

Hints and Solutions - The Master Theorem
Is decoding hints in the book wearing on your brain? Use this sanity-saving tool to get hints and check your solutions.

Years ago, I was obsessed with this secret club that published a new, original puzzle every week, and rewarded fast solvers with points. I’ve been missing it since it shut down in 2011. Suddenly, this week, it came back.

Mark Halpin's Labor Day Extravaganza back catalog

PUZZLES

Get ready to lose hours to these epic sets of paper puzzles that the ace puzzlemaker releases every Labor Day. The puzzles are things of beauty. This year’s set will be released this Saturday, September 3, at 1PM Eastern.

Puzzles in the news

The Secret Message Hidden On Sega's Arcade Bags

The Secret Message Hidden On Sega’s Arcade Bags
For the past two years, Sega Japan has been hiding a coded message on the plastic bags it gives out to those who win crane game prizes. Nobody realized they contained a secret message. That is, until now.
For the past two years, Sega Japan has been hiding a coded message on the plastic bags it gives out to those who win crane game prizes. Nobody realized they contained a secret message.

Nick Offerman And Megan Mullally Do Jigsaw Puzzles

It’s Actually Adorable That Nick Offerman And Megan Mullally Do Puzzles
Now this is GOALS.

Stars: they’re just like us.

Puzzles in Chicago

Puzzling in Chicago newsletter

The Mystery League
The Mystery League Email Forms

Hey, Chicagoans, sign up for this other mailing list of mine, where I announce puzzle stuff that’s happening in Chicago.

Puzzles in the desert

Elan Lee is building a room escape at Burning Man

This tweet is the extent of what I know about this. If you’re at Burning Man, hunt this down and tell me how it is.

Not a puzzle but still worth your time

The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian – A Sci-Fi Podcast for Kids. Like Scooby-Doo, but in Space.

Finn Caspian - Gen-Z Media
Finn Caspian is an 8-year-old boy aboard the Famous Marlowe 280 Interplanetary Exploratory Space Station. He and his friends Abigail, Elias, and Vale are Explorers Troop 301, taking off from the Marlowe to explore uncharted planets, help the occasional alien, and solve a mystery that threatens to de…

A new podcast for kids and adults from my friend Jonathan Messinger. It’s an old-fashioned serialized space adventure, but with just the right balance of silliness and heart. And it’s got robots, and hidden references to your favorite classic kids books. And it’s SO GOOD.

Solution to the previous Puzzler

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