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.
Author Archives: David Stickley
AFR Cryptic (31/5/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 ANGLO-SAXON A slogan rewritten by performing Englishman (5-5) Anagram of A SLOGAN + X + ON 6 CROC Snapper caught by fabulous bird (4) C + ROC 10 STARTER Race official organised rest at … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 31/5/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (24/5/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 TUNGSTEN Modified guns, 10, finishing off leader of terrorist element (8) (Anagram of GUNS + TEN) after (T)errorist 5 ADDS UP Dad made tipsy by drink makes sense (4,2) Anagram of DAD + SUP … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 24/5/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (17/5/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 DOCUDRAMA Manage sheep consuming processed food – a true-to-life story (9) (DO + RAM) outside CUD + A 6 INDIA Ones leaving Asian republic, a heavily-populated country (5) INDONESIA minus ONES 9 MISCAST Is … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 17/5/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (10/5/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 STIRRERS Disorganised terrorists surrendering to troublemakers (8) Anagram of TERRORISTS minus TO 5 FAILED Bankrupt fellow felt unwell (6) F + AILED 10 INDIVIDUALISTIC One form of identification used in civil suit and confused … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 10/5/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (3/5/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BASTARDISE A celebrity, found in bed, is awfully corrupt (10) (A + STAR) inside anagram of BED IS 6 CARD Joker, perhaps, in more ways than one (4) Double Definition 10 OPERATING SYSTEM Crook … Continue reading
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 3/5/2025, Clue Hints
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