Crime turned out not quite so cruel (9)

I believe the answer is:

merciless

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'quite so cruel' is the definition.
'merciless' can be an answer for 'cruel' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'quite so' bit.

'crime turned out not' is the wordplay.
'turned out' is an anagram indicator (turn out can mean to organise).
'not' becomes 'less' (I've seen this in other clues).
'crime' is an anagram of 'merci'.
'merci'+'less'='MERCILESS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for merciless that I've seen before include "Ruthless" , "Uncharitable" , "Cruel" , "Showing no compassion" , "Totally unforgiving" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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