Name of distinctive character at end of novel (5)
I believe the answer is:
laura
'name' is the definition.
'distinctive character at end of novel' is the wordplay.
'distinctive character' becomes 'aura' (I've seen this before).
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'end of' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'novel' is 'l'.
'aura' put after 'l' is 'LAURA'.
'of' is the link.
(Other definitions for laura that I've seen before include "- Ashley, Welsh clothing and furniture designer" , "girl" , "Cells of a group of recluses" , "Petrarch loved her" , "US First Lady" .)