Spy novelist appears back inside terrace lodgings (2,5)

I believe the answer is:

le carre

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'spy novelist' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'back inside terrace lodgings' is the wordplay.
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'inside' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'erracel' is hidden within 'terrace lodgings'.
'erracel' reversed gives 'LE CARRE'.

'appears' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for le carre that I've seen before include "English spy novelist" , "John -, English writer of spy stories" , "English thriller writer" , "Inventor of spy Smiley" , "John --, author" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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