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.
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AFR Looking Ahead 2024 Solution
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AFR Cryptic (New Year 2024) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 HOTHOUSE Delicate tube with core measuring one thousandth of an inch (8) HOSE outside THOU 5 STRESS A spinster’s dislocation is relieved of pain and tension (6) Anagram of A SPINSTERS minus PAIN 9 … Continue reading
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AFR New Year 2024 AJ Solution
The PDF contains the worked solution
AFR Cryptic (Christmas 2023) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BUSTLE Hurried activity fixed underwear worn by old lady (6) Double Definition 4 PROPOSED Recommended footballer does broadcast (8) PROP + anagram of DOES 9 FOUNDATION STONE Building block discovered by station implicated individual … Continue reading
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AFR Year In Review 2023 Solution
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AFR Cryptic (16/12/2023) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 CHALET Short fellow rented small house (6) (CHA)p + LET 5 BUCKLED Stag once showed the way and collapsed (7) BUCK + LED 9 VIRTUAL REALITY A rival utterly upset about one computer-simulated environment … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (9/12/2023) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 RECESS Break up services arranged with 6 down? (6) Anagram of SERVICES minus VI 4 MAJESTIC A joke, one acquired by host, is superb (8) (A + JEST + I) inside MC 9 PURSE … Continue reading
AFR Cryptic (2/12/2023) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 DISTRESS Is time in outfit agony? (8) (IS + T) inside DRESS 5 SEATED Occupants of house ate dinner sitting down (6) houSE ATE D inner 10 CONCERN Business, once in credit, now losing … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (25/11/2023) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 DEAD DRAW Added new green for bowling of the highest level (4,4) Anagram of ADDED + RAW 5 FIBBER Fellow organised bribe for one delivering fabrication (6) F + anagram of BRIBE 9 ARTERIAL … Continue reading
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