Inquisitor #71

[trastevere]

Completed grid with exception of several of the unchecked letters in the unclued words. Have middle letters/pairs from extra words but can make no sense of them 'in order'. Can't see thematic phrase. A little hint (cryptic or otherwise ) would be appreciated.btw 37a *perhaps, flogging her robe on eBay? ( 9 , 2 words) I have HONEY BEAR Anag HERONEBAY with robe being superfluous word. Is this correct? Can't understand use of asterisk.

[Rapparee]

The asterisk in the clue is meant to be a reference to the asterisk in one of the squares which starts off a thematic word - a definition of HONEY BEAR in a way!

The middle letters/pairs spell out a number of authors (first initial and surname) each one connected to an unclued entry (two in one case if memory serves correctly) and the unclued lights have something in common, which should lead you to the phrase...
If not, shout up....you still have time to get this in.

[trastevere]

Would you believe it. All the while I thought that the asterisk in the grid was just a little blob of stray ink. I see the asterisk now and relevance to honey bear jumps right out off the page at me. Going to sleep on it but will let you know how I got on. Thanks Rapparee

[trastevere]

Dunnit

[Rapparee]

Well done, but I think #72 is even trickier.