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.-

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Author Archives: David Stickley
Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 9, Clue Help
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 9 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SCHOOL A number of swimmers joined a training centre (6) Double definition 4 CORRECTS Disciplines leader of certain rectors getting out of line (8) C + anagram of RECTORS 10 MILITARY ATTACHE At my … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 10, Clue Help
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 10 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 RUBBER Match material with some flexibility (6) Double Definition 5 ENORMITY Hatred fuelled by our heartless act of wickedness? (8) ENMITY outside O(u)R 9 AFTERBIRTH Most of tribe, held back by father, resolved issue … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 11, Clue Help
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 11 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SAFETY MATCH Most of feta listed in report by rival is light (6,5) (FET(a) inside SAY) + MATCH 9 AMINE Excavation taking place behind a basic compound (5) MINE behind A 10 RANDOMISE Administered … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 12, Clue Help
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 12 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 DRESS REHEARSAL Her lasses are beaten up behind doctor’s practice (5,9) Anagram of HER LASSES ARE behind DR 10 HOUSING Inside of shop making use of enclosure (7) s(HO)p + USING 11 ROTUNDA Large … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 13, Clue Help
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 13 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BRAINBOX Clever person’s packaged ladies underwear? (8) BRA IN BOX 5 DRAPES Drive copies screens in Windows (6) DR + APES 10 ALLOW Permit a system for hanging people without any limitations (5) g)ALLOW(s … Continue reading
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