Confused US criminal induced to kidnap old lover (9)
I believe the answer is:
perplexed
'confused us' is the definition.
'perplexed' can be an answer for 'confused' ('perplex' can be a synonym of 'confuse'). I'm not certain of the 'us' bit.
'criminal induced to kidnap old lover' is the wordplay.
'criminal' becomes 'perp' (I've seen this in another clue).
'induced to' becomes 'led' (I've seen this before).
'kidnap' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'old lover' becomes 'ex' (an ex-lover).
'led' enclosing 'ex' is 'lexed'.
'perp'+'lexed'='PERPLEXED'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for perplexed that I've seen before include "Baffled" , "Discombobulated" , "Bewildered" , "Puzzled" .)