What does the cryptic crossword clue "Popular French novelist on ship in Scottish city (9)" mean?

The definition is "Scottish city". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). IN (abbreviation="Popular") + VERNE (synonym="French novelist") + S (abbreviation="on") + S (abbreviation="ship") = INVERNESS; definition: "Scottish city" The answer is INVERNESS.

Popular French novelist on ship in Scottish city (9)

Daily Mail Cryptic #17200 | 4 Down | 2023-10-05 flower

← Back to puzzle

Visit Daily Mail's puzzle site →