The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word FICTION
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
F
I
C
T
I
O
N
More clues leading to the result FICTION
- Lie about providing effervescent tonic
- Strong action I took over a lie
- Stories offering discord reader finally abandoned
- Loud way of talking putting daughter off stories
- Story resulting from conflict with no end to war
- Lie worked? Not if I will get caught entering
- Runs from disagreement? That’s a lie
- Novels from 13 across, if edited
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Novels" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case novels = fiction.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FICTION mean?
FICTION noun- Literary type using invented or imaginative writing, instead of real facts, usually written as prose.
- A verbal or written account that is not based on actual events (often intended to mislead).
- A legal fiction.