Brilliant novelist James regularly read among giraffes (3-6)

I believe the answer is:

top-drawer

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'brilliant novelist' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for top-drawer that I've seen before include "of high social standing" , "Excellent" , "Perfect" , "Of the highest standing" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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