Crossword Genius

Begun old novel in club (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bludgeon

'club' is the definition.
(bludgeon is a kind of club)

'begun old novel' is the wordplay.
'novel' indicates an anagram.
'begun'+'old'='begunold'
'begunold' is an anagram of 'BLUDGEON'.

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for bludgeon that I've seen before include "Club used as a weapon" , "Thick stick as weapon" , "Bully; heavy weapon" , "Short stick with thickened end as weapon" , "Club used maliciously" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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