28 across
First-rate
novel
includes
things
that
are
untrue
(8)
First-rate novel includes things that are untrue (8)
hints
0
checks
0
hints
The definition is at the beginning of the clue.
How the clue works
The definition is First. For the wordplay, "novel" tells you to anagram, and what you're anagramming is rate containing lies ("things that are untrue") — so take RATELIES and shuffle it about to get your answer.