Crossword Genius

Vesper at venue with odd book (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

placebo

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

'vesper' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'venue with odd book' is the wordplay.
'venue' becomes 'place' (I've seen this before).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'odd' means one should take alternating letters.
The alternate letters of 'book' are 'bo'.
'place'+'bo'='PLACEBO'

'at' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for placebo that I've seen before include "drug for clinical trial" , "ineffective medicine" , "Inactive medicine" , "Medicine with no therapeutic effect" , "memorial service" .)

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