Calm novel set in Rye (8)
I believe the answer is:
serenity
'calm' is the definition.
(I know that serenity is a type of calm)
'novel set in rye' is the wordplay.
'novel' indicates an anagram (letters in a new or novel order).
'set'+'in'+'rye'='setinrye'
'setinrye' anagrammed gives 'SERENITY'.
(Other definitions for serenity that I've seen before include "The absence of mental stress or anxiety" , "Peace and quiet" , "Tiny seer in state of repose" , "Calmness" , "Calm composure, peace" .)