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.
Tag Archives: crosswords
AFR Cryptic (23/5/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BUCKLE DOWN Stud was first to have to make a determined effort (6,4) BUCK + LED + OWN 6 DEED Act’s text published in trade editions (4) traDE EDitions 10 BERMUDA TRIANGLE Mature bird … Continue reading
AFR Cryptic (16/5/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 RUINOUS One after Rugby Union talent is extremely harmful (7) (I after RU) + NOUS 5 DEFIANT I gave food to retired worker ready for a fight (7) [(I + FED) reversed] + ANT … Continue reading
AFR Cryptic (9/5/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 APPLICANTS Captains at sea holding place for candidates (10) Anagram of CAPTAINS outside PL 6 HELP Come to the aid of young dog without lead (4) (w)HELP 9 SLOOP Sailing vessel joins forces heading … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (2/5/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 PARAPET Standard placed next to a special wall used for protection (7) PAR + A + PET 5 AROUSE Turn on circuit in a device (6) O inside (A + RUSE) 8 RESISTANT Is … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (25/4/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 WESTERNS Movies strangely weren’t screening Saturday and Sunday (8) Anagram of WERENT outside S + S 5 CASH UP Remains in competition to work out money taken (4,2) ASH inside CUP 10 GOVERNMENT ISSUE … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (18/4/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 REASSIGNED Was king, say, riding donkey, given a new job? (10) REIGNED outside ASS 6 AGES Passengers in carriage sat a long time? (4) carriAGE Sat 10 FORUM Public meeting in favour of sharing … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (11/4/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SCRAWLED Hastily written books ultimately moved along slowly (8) book(S) + CRAWLED 6 BLOOD Family flourished without me (5) BLOOMED minus ME 10 ANIMAL MAGNETISM An enigmatic mate smiling about mother with personal charm … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic AJ (Easter 2026) Solution
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AFR Cryptic (Easter 2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 GIVE UP THE GHOST Go and get huge VIP prepared to put on a show (4,2,3,5) Anagram of GET HUGE VIP + HOST 9 FLAT STRAP Units backed member very quickly (4,5) FLATS + … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (28/3/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 STANDING ORDERS Involved strangers in odd parliamentary rules (8,6) Anagram of STRANGERS IN ODD 10 OWNER One who has unlimited supply of sedatives? (5) d)OWNER(s 11 MOONSHINE Hair and bone found in one’s rubbish … Continue reading
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