Crossword Genius

Book of songs, many strangely found in empty hotel (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hymnal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'book of songs' is the definition.
'hymnal' can be an answer for 'book' (hymnal is a kind of book). I am not certain of the 'of songs' bit.

'many strangely found in empty hotel' is the wordplay.
'strangely' is an anagram indicator.
'found in' is an insertion indicator.
'empty' suggests removing the centre.
'hotel' with its centre taken out is 'hl'.
'many' with letters rearranged gives 'ymna'.
'ymna' placed into 'hl' is 'HYMNAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hymnal that I've seen before include "Religious songbook" , "Eleven across found in this book" , "chorister's guide" , "Book of religious songs" , "Book of church music" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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