The detective nears crazy stock-handlers (9)
I believe the answer is:
neatherds
'the detective nears crazy' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot judge whether it can be defined by this definition.
'stock-handlers' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'stock' could be 'herd' (I have seen 'Stock of cattle' mean 'herd' so perhaps 'stock' could also mean 'herd') and 'herd' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
Install my app