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. In 2024 David and his wife Linda secured a weekly cryptic and quick slot in The SMH and The Age. David has also been published in the NYT, the UK's FT and Church Times.
Monthly Archives: September 2025
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 27/9/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (20/9/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SCUTCH Brickie’s tool cut opening in concrete in silence (6) [CUT + (C)oncrete] inside SH 5 CATERER Nurse taking tea discounted by a food provider (7) CARER outside (TEA minus A) 10 RERUN Turner, … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 20/9/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (13/9/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 STAND OUT Be prominent and consumed by alcohol (5,3) AND inside STOUT 5 STEERS Small trees distracted some in herd (6) S + anagram of TREES 9 ENGLAND A glen transformed heart of blandish … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 13/9/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (6/9/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BOTTLEBRUSH Botanical region brought back grass – an Australian native (11) BOT + (BELT reversed) + RUSH 9 HERRING Hotel messing up fish (7) H + ERRING 10 SUBSIDE Replacement’s idea not backed by … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 6/9/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (30/8/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 TOT UP Add to sheep on a farm (3,2) TO + TUP 4 REST ROOM Public facility remains secure in retreat (4,4) REST + (MOOR reversed) 10 SELF-OPINIONATED Arrogant one said “open lift” in … Continue reading
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