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.-
Support the Future of The Stickler
Stickler Boxed Sets now available. Find out more
Stickler Cap now available. Find out more
Category Archives: The Stickler
The Stickler Weekly 4
The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format. The solution to this puzzle will appear next week. Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 4 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 4 Solution … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, online, printable, The Stickler
3 Comments
The Stickler Weekly 4 Clue Hints
If you need help, Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler
Tagged clue hints, crosswords, cryptic, stickler
Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 4 Clue Hints
The Stickler Weekly 4 Overseas Help
If you need help, Continue reading
The Stickler Weekly 3 Solution
There are many, many decisions a setter has to make as they develop their own style. I think most start out being a combination of their favourite setters’ styles, and gradually change as nuances are introduced and their knowledge of … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, solution, The Stickler
Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 3 Solution
The Stickler Weekly 3
The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format. The solution to this puzzle will appear next week. Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 3 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 3 Solution … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, online, printable, The Stickler
Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 3
The Stickler Weekly 3 Clue Hints
If you need help, Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler
Tagged clue hints, crosswords, cryptic, stickler
3 Comments
The Stickler Weekly 3 Overseas Help
If you need help, Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler
Tagged crosswords, cryptic, stickler
Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 3 Overseas Help
The Stickler Weekly 2 Solution
A solver emailed me saying they really liked 24-across in this puzzle. If you’ve solved many Sticklers, you’ll be aware that I love anagrams involving subtraction. Wordplay for such clues always require appropriate anagram and subtraction indicators, offering a setter … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, solution, The Stickler
1 Comment
The Stickler Weekly 2
The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format. The solution to this puzzle will appear next week. Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 2 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 2 Solution … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, online, printable, The Stickler
2 Comments
The Stickler Weekly 2 Clue Hints
If you need help, Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler
Tagged clue hints, crosswords, cryptic, stickler
Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 2 Clue Hints