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Flame, the clues you have already are enough to give you the title of the work and the author. I wouldn’t say either are particularly obscure.

Sorry: posted as new thread in error.

Yes, being slow and tired. Thank you Jono.

Last attempt to finish 3 D & 21 D giving my brain cells strain

3D I have _T_N_S (grid entry) E is missing letter which forms part of one of the theme items whch I have along with title of work and author

21D I have E_R_ _ _ (grid entry) T is missing letter. I think EAR??? - but where are the EYES?

3d empty trawl net gives the first two letter, then a word for a certain ‘whole’ is the last four letters. The missing E is the second letter.

21d the missing T is the first letter, the wordplay is 3,3. No eyes, but something that might irritate them…

Gotcha! Many thanks

My mind is clearly not filthy enough!