| PUZZLER | A solver of crosswords, riddles, teasers, ticklers etc; or, any enigmatic person, problem, situation or thing (7) |
| SHY | From "shun, scare", description of a shrinking violet; a sudden spooking of a frightened horse; a fling at a target of a coconut etc; or, any attempt/shot (3) |
| IMPLEMENT | A do-it-yourself gadget, gardening tool, kitchen utensil or writing instrument, such as a chisel, dibber, pastry cutter, pencil etc; or, any agent serving to achieve a purpose (9) |
| AWN | Bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses, etc., or any similar bristle-like appendage (3) |
| DILEMMA | Problem situation that gives me a mild turn (7) |
| BIND | Tie; problem situation |
| MYSTERY | A secret doctrine; a trade guild or craft; a tale of suspense dealing with a puzzling crime; or, an enigmatic person or phenomenon (7) |
| SKELETON | A solver of a ____ crossword must work out most of the grid |
| PUGNIREYWAL | Getting counsel, colloquially ... or what a solver of this puzzle is doing? |
| NAMEDROPPER | Status-seeking sort ... or a solver of this puzzle, initially? |
| TROUBLESHOOTER | A solver of problems |
| LETMIATAHERE | Outburst from a solver of this puzzle? |
| QUIZZING | A form of competition that should suit solvers of general knowledge crosswords |
| ELPASO | Help a solver stuck with part of border that has plenty of crossers (2,4) |
| SPHINX | Statue of an enigmatic person (6) |
| LACK | ___ of effort (lazy person's problem) |
| ABADLOT | Unscrupulous person's problem at Christie's? (1,3,3) |
| DRHOUSE | Titular solver of many a medical mystery in 2000s TV |
| HAPPYBDAY | "Best wishes for your once-a-year celebration!" (and a wish for solvers of this puzzle) |
| DONTHAVEACOW | "Relax!"...or a advice to a solver who can't figure out what's hidden in each starred clue's answer |
