Crossword Genius

Poor person in shelter with old books (4-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

have-not

'poor person' is the definition.
('have-not' can be a synonym of 'poor person')

'shelter with old books' is the subsidiary indication.
'shelter' becomes 'haven' (haven is a kind of shelter).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'old books' becomes 'ot' (Old Testament).
'haven'+'ot'='havenot'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for have-not that I've seen before include "Someone who lacks possessions" , "Deprived person" , "Economically disadvantaged person" , "Person of little material wealth" , "Someone with meagre possessions" .)

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