Gripping article about short state lines (9)

I believe the answer is:

thrilling

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'gripping' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'article about short state lines' is the wordplay.
'article' becomes 'thing' (both can mean an object).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'short state lines' becomes 'rill' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'thing' going around 'rill' is 'THRILLING'.

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(Other definitions for thrilling that I've seen before include "Gripping" , "Engrossing" , "Sensational" , "Hair-raising" , "Causing pleasurable excitement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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