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 137 Solution
A couple of people speculated as to the reason for the recent Alphabetical/Alphanumeric interlude in the Stickler Weekly series. It wasn’t paid work, unfortunately, but it was R & R of sorts – a few weeks on the north coast … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, solution, The Stickler
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The Stickler Weekly 137
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 137 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 137 Solution … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, online, printable, The Stickler
1 Comment
Alphanumeric Jigsaw 2 Solution
A couple of weeks ago someone asked me about the number of women involved in writing cryptic crosswords. I know for a long time in crossword history the identities of setters were largely unknown, so the role of women may … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, solution, The Stickler
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The Stickler Alphanumeric Jigsaw 2
Here’s a crossword I put together about a while back to follow up a very early puzzle with the same theme. It’s again an alphabetical jigsaw with a twist – ten extra clues this time starting with a letter, letters … Continue reading
David’s Revenge Solution
I was asked by Richard how long I spend each week on giving you The Stickler Weekly. The Stickler Weekly and associated website activities have 5 components: 1. Writing of The Stickler Weekly 2. Compilation of The Stickler Weekly solution … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, solution, The Stickler
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The Stickler Alphabetical Jigsaw – David’s Revenge
The Stickler Weekly is taking a short break, but in the meantime I thought I’d introduce you to a little Stickler pre-history. I got my first break through being published in the Australian Crossword Club’s magazine, CrOzworld, where novices still … Continue reading
The Stickler Weekly 136 Solution
It seems a natural thing in crossword circles to try and create something different for solvers to tackle, rather than have essentially the same kind of cryptic puzzle every time. Notable variations include the theme crossword (and its many forms), … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, solution, The Stickler
Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 136 Solution
The Stickler Weekly 136
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 136 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 136 Solution … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, online, printable, The Stickler
Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 136
The Stickler Weekly 135 Solution
A recent Stickler Weekly brought up an interesting question about a clue that could be considered ambiguous, with two answers valid according to wordplay and crossing letters in the grid. This was the clue in question: Shut down stall (4). … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, solution, The Stickler
7 Comments
The Stickler Weekly 135
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 135 Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 135 Solution … Continue reading
Posted in Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler
Tagged cryptic crossword, online, printable, The Stickler
1 Comment