Crossword Genius

Gander trembled, facing his killer? (8,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

butchers hook

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

'gander' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot judge whether this works.

'trembled facing his killer?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'trembled' could be 'shook' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'shook' is found in the answer.
'killer?' could be 'butcher' (butcher is a kind of killer) and 'butcher' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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