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: The Stickler
Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 8 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SUPERMAN Strong heater swept over hairdo prepared by a great guy (8) SUN outside (PERM + A) 5 SHADOW Reflected image had formed in plant (6) HAD inside SOW 9 PLUTO Put ring around … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 9 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SCHOOL A number of swimmers joined a training centre (6) Double definition 4 CORRECTS Disciplines leader of certain rectors getting out of line (8) C + anagram of RECTORS 10 MILITARY ATTACHE At my … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 10 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 RUBBER Match material with some flexibility (6) Double Definition 5 ENORMITY Hatred fuelled by our heartless act of wickedness? (8) ENMITY outside O(u)R 9 AFTERBIRTH Most of tribe, held back by father, resolved issue … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 11 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SAFETY MATCH Most of feta listed in report by rival is light (6,5) (FET(a) inside SAY) + MATCH 9 AMINE Excavation taking place behind a basic compound (5) MINE behind A 10 RANDOMISE Administered … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 12 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 DRESS REHEARSAL Her lasses are beaten up behind doctor’s practice (5,9) Anagram of HER LASSES ARE behind DR 10 HOUSING Inside of shop making use of enclosure (7) s(HO)p + USING 11 ROTUNDA Large … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 13 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BRAINBOX Clever person’s packaged ladies underwear? (8) BRA IN BOX 5 DRAPES Drive copies screens in Windows (6) DR + APES 10 ALLOW Permit a system for hanging people without any limitations (5) g)ALLOW(s … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 14 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 MODULATE Adjust version of Ludo owned by colleague (8) Anagram of LUDO inside MATE 5 ASCENT Value of a bouquet is way up (6) A + SCENT 10 DATUM Little bit of information group … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 15 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SWERVING First point from Williams in tennis play is moving away (8) W inside SERVING 5 WALL UP Put barricades around opening of well with everything included (4,2) W + ALL-UP 9 See 22-down … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 16 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 GYMS Disheartened guy with little time for sporting facilities? (4) G(u)Y + MS 4 ENTERPRISE I represent mixed business (10) Anagram of I REPRESENT 9 CHERUB Sweet little baby that girl placed in the … Continue reading
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Stickler Boxed Set 1, Puzzle 17 Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 LIFT UP Raise living things, mostly sheep (4,2) LIF(e) + TUP 5 ENTREATY Request to take food into lobby (8) EAT inside ENTRY 9 STEPMOTHER Unnatural parent sprayed pet covered in thick floating dust … Continue reading
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