Crossword Genius

Novel about bishop miles away from place of pilgrimage (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rebecca

'novel' is the definition.
(Daphne du Maurier novel)

'about bishop miles away from place of pilgrimage' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' ('re' means regarding or about).
'bishop' becomes 'B' (chess abbreviation).
'miles' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'away from' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'place of pilgrimage' becomes 'mecca' (holiest city in Islam).
'mecca' with 'm' removed is 'ecca'.
're'+'b'+'ecca'='REBECCA'

(Other definitions for rebecca that I've seen before include "Biblical wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau" , "Literary heroine" , "Girl's name - mother of Jacob and Esau" , "Du Maurier heroine at Manderley" , "1938 novel, starting: 'Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app