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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Tag Archives: cryptic crossword
The Stickler Weekly 216 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 MARSHMALLOW Hurt male nursed by superficial, sweet thing (11) MAR + (M inside SHALLOW) 9 CHAMBER Light colour painted at far end of church room (7) AMBER after CH 10 PLOTTER Crafty person acquiring … Continue reading
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The Stickler Weekly 216
The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format. The solution to this puzzle will appear next week. Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 216 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 216 Solution … Continue reading
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The Stickler Weekly 215 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 OFFICE Cancelled illegal drug charge (6) OFF + ICE 4 ATTRACTS A time listed in religious literature has an enticing effect (8) A + (T inside TRACTS) 9 PLANNER One who arranges bearing fitted … Continue reading
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The Stickler Weekly 215
The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format. The solution to this puzzle will appear next week. Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 215 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 215 Solution … Continue reading
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The Stickler Weekly 214 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SOLIDARITY Cover maintained in riot, say, affected team spirit (10) LID inside anagram of RIOT SAY 6 SPUR Propel jet short on time (4) SPURT minus T 10 ROAMS Sheep, taking in nothing, wanders … Continue reading
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The Stickler Weekly 214
If you thought there might be a mushy, love-filled cryptic crossword this week, then you don’t know me. The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format. The solution to this puzzle will appear next … Continue reading
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The Stickler Weekly 213 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 FRUMPISH Cut into fish that’s poorly dressed (8) RUMP inside FISH 5 TRACER Competitor backing temperature probe (6) RACER after T 9 RETSINA Selection of clarets in all Greek wine (7) claRETS IN All … Continue reading
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The Stickler Weekly 213
The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format. The solution to this puzzle will appear next week. Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 213 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 213 Solution … Continue reading
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The Stickler Weekly 212 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SKITTISH Outfit entering street is hard and difficult to handle (8) KIT inside ST + IS + H 5 THWART Check the slightly diminished growth on skin (6) (TH)E + WART 9 RISER This … Continue reading
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The Stickler Weekly 212
The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format. The solution to this puzzle will appear next week. Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 212 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 212 Solution … Continue reading
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