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 (4/7/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BEDSPACE A follower escaped in disguise with hotelier’s offering (8) B + anagram of ESCAPED 5 SCRAPS Breaks up fights (6) Double Definition 9 NAPOLEON North Pole fortified by a functioning French general (8) … Continue reading
AFR Cryptic (27/6/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 RUBBLE Two billion collected by government remains (6) BB inside RULE 4 PROTESTS Objects and worthless stuff carried by troublesome people (8) ROT inside PESTS 9 METHAMPHETAMINE Ice, say, received with meat the pieman … Continue reading
AFR Cryptic (20/6/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 GERMAN MEASLES Manager seems upset about onset of Lyme disease (6,7) Anagram of MANAGER SEEMS outside (L)yme 9 DISCERN Uncoordinated dancer is missing out on a spot (7) Anagram of DANCER IS minus A … Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (20/6/2026) Solution
AFR Cryptic (13/6/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 ESTEEM High achiever deals with withdrawn credit (6) E + (MEETS reversed) 5 TACKLES Has a go at gutless clerk in accounts? (7) C(ler)K inside TALES 9 GOLDEN TRIANGLE Source of drugs, noted girl, … Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (13/6/2026) Solution
AFR Cryptic (6/6/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 DUGITE Snake grasped it easily at the start (6) DUG + IT + (E)asily 4 MANDATES Individual determines the age of charges (8) MAN + DATES 9 SKATE Runner and swimmer (5) Double Definition … Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (6/6/2026) Solution
AFR Cryptic (30/5/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 LIFE SPAN Decrypted files criticise maximum time spent working (4,4) Anagram of FILES + PAN 5 PAROLE Conditionally release play without every second part (6) P(l)A(y) + ROLE 10 CLAMOUR Cold ending of political … Continue reading
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (30/5/2026) Solution
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
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (23/5/2026) Solution
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
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (16/5/2026) Solution
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
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (9/5/2026) Solution
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
Posted in AFR Cryptic
Tagged AFR Cryptic, crosswords
Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (2/5/2026) Solution