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, Saturday 12/4/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (5/4/2025) Solution
Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be no solution this week (first time in more than 550 consecutive weeks). Will supply solution next week. Thanks David
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 5/4/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (29/3/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 TUCK SHOP Minor food supplier gathers plant popular with brewers (4,4) TUCKS + HOP 5 MASSES One thousand clowns – that’s a lot (6) M + ASSES 9 WEAKENED Tie the knot around a … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 29/3/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (22/3/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 PALATE Taste starter of anchovies presented in dish (6) (A)nchovies inside PLATE 4 PRICE CUT Discount place stocking rice crackers at the front (5,3) PUT outside [RICE + (C)rackers] 9 MATERIALISATION Mate is clothed … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 22/3/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (15/3/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SAMOAN Islander, say, cut short protest (6) SA(y) + MOAN 4 SPANGLES Special fishes with shiny spots (8) SP + ANGLES 9 TASTE Small serving of polenta steamed, perhaps? (5) polenTA STEamed 10 CARBONARA … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 15/3/2025, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (8/3/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BARONESS One’s spotted in bars with lady (8) ONES inside BARS 5 FLAUNT Display unit reduced by half in living space (6) UN(it) inside FLAT 10 HABITAT Native environment is somewhat active in Panama … Continue reading
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