About the Setter
David Stickley has been writing crosswords professionally since 1995. His cryptic puzzle, The Stickler, reached number 4786 before being axed in July 2013 due to cutbacks. David has been published in the NYT and the UK's FT.
Monthly Archives: August 2025
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 30/8/2025, Clue Hints
If you need help, Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR, Crossword, cryptic
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 30/8/2025, Clue Hints
AFR Cryptic (23/8/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 HEROISM Boldness is shown in her room regularly (7) IS inside [HER + r(O)o(M)] 5 TAMING Minister, wearing identification, is breaking in (6) MIN inside TAG 9 BASIL Ingredient of pesto as listed in … Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (23/8/2025) Solution
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 23/8/2025, Clue Hints
If you need help, Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR, Crossword, cryptic
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 23/8/2025, Clue Hints
AFR Cryptic (16/8/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 PIRACY Private investigator linked to spirited theft (6) PI + RACY 4 BRISTLED Prickly Englishman, crossing second, was in front (8) (BRIT outside S) + LED 9 RETRIAL Trio not fully represented in legitimate … Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (16/8/2025) Solution
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 16/8/2025, Clue Hints
If you need help, Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR, Crossword, cryptic
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 16/8/2025, Clue Hints
AFR Cryptic (9/8/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 CHAMBER Light colour painted at far end of church room (7) AMBER after CH 5 POTATO Vegetable matter kept in depot at orchard (6) dePOT AT Orchard 9 OWING Outstanding work done by crew … Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (9/8/2025) Solution
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 9/8/2025, Clue Hints
If you need help, Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR, Crossword, cryptic
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 9/8/2025, Clue Hints
AFR Cryptic (2/8/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 CASTRATE Company fee is cut (8) CAST + RATE 5 DOUBTS Questions driver originally reassigned to bus (6) (D)river + anagram of TO BUS 10 TWADDLE Pair nearly spoil uninteresting talk (7) (TW)o + … Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (2/8/2025) Solution
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 2/8/2025, Clue Hints
If you need help, Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR, Crossword, cryptic
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 2/8/2025, Clue Hints
AFR Cryptic (26/7/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 GAPING Joke about pressure in Open (6) GAG outside (P + IN) 5 FORT Military outpost defended soundly (4) Sounds like FOUGHT 9 RONDO Musical composition is right before performing act (5) R + … Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (26/7/2025) Solution