Beginning of con trick involving cunning (8)
I believe the answer is:
starting
'beginning' is the definition.
(I know that beginning can be written as starting)
'con trick involving cunning' is the wordplay.
'con trick' becomes 'sting' (I've seen this before).
'involving' indicates putting letters inside.
'cunning' becomes 'art' (both can mean trickery).
'sting' enclosing 'art' is 'STARTING'.
'of' is the link.
(Other definitions for starting that I've seen before include "Beginning; jumping" , "showing sudden alarm" , "Rousing" , "Disturbing" , "Commencing" .)