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 (7/2/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 COOK STRAIT NZ channel throws together feature (4,6) COOKS + TRAIT 6 LIMO People mover is large in my opinion (4) L + IMO 10 DRAMA Theatre doctor, a man not fully extended (5) … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (31/1/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 LIVER SPOT Skin blemish that’s usually brown or silver, disfigured large belly (5,4) Anagram of SILVER + POT 6 KAVA Some drink, a Vanuatuan beverage (4) drinK A VAnuatuan 10 GUEST Visitor took a … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (24/1/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 STAMINA Enduring strength shown by 70% of Tasmanians with conditioning (7) Anagram of (TASMANI)ans 5 PORTAL Sydney, say, a large point of access (6) PORT + A + L 8 LIPID Cover impregnated with … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (17/1/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BIG TOP Dance around one great entertainment centre (3,3) BOP outside (I + GT) 5 PARABLE Lesson given by expert following average golf score (7) ABLE after PAR 10 AFTER SCHOOL CARE Teacher of … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (10/1/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 PLUNDERED Raided place belonging to newspaperman (9) PL + UNDER + ED 6 HUMPS Decision-maker in high school carries a heavy load (5) UMP inside HS 9 CHAMP Christmas fare replacing contents of cup? … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic Alphabetical Jigsaw (New Year 2026) Solution
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AFR Cryptic (New Year 2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 POSTSCRIPT Supplement rent prescribed in court after appointments (10) (RIP inside CT) after POSTS 6 TIFF Firm not starting a minor dispute (4) (s)TIFF 9 PLACE Locate soft and delicate ornamental fabric (5) P … Continue reading
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AFR End Of Year Special 2026 Solution
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AFR Cryptic (Christmas 2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 MISMATCH Clash is concealed by two males at church (8) (IS inside M+M) + AT + CH 5 STAIRS Celebrities taking one flight (6) STARS outside I 9 SLOPPY Careless spy seen hanging around … Continue reading
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