Crossword Genius

Ruth's novel set during Christmas and just before Easter (4,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

holy thursday

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

'easter' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'ruth's novel set during christmas and just before' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
an anagram of 'ruth' is 'thur' which is within the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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