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. David has been published in the NYT and the UK's FT.
Tag Archives: crosswords
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
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 (ANZAC 2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 DISCRIMINATED Record considered broken by one minute is singled out (13) DISC + RATED outside (I + MIN) 9 BLEND IN Wine store securing loan to match others (5,2) BIN outside LEND 10 SLUGGER … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (Easter 2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 STRETCHY Vomit found in filthy place is rubbery (8) RETCH in STY 5 BIASED Partisan, one for instance, engaged by foundation (6) (I + AS) inside BED 10 FEDERAL ELECTION National decision strengthened porter, … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic AJ (Easter 2025) Solution
Please see PDF for solution
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AFR Cryptic Solutions
Due to unforeseen circumstances, outstanding solutions will not be available until midweek. Sorry about that. If you have particular clue/solution questions on any of my past crosswords I’m happy to answer them. Thanks David
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 (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 (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 (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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