Debts following from the French first bookmaker are somewhat suspect (7)
I believe the answer is:
dubious
'somewhat suspect' is the definition.
'dubious' can be an answer for 'suspect' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'somewhat' bit.
'debts following from the french first bookmaker' is the wordplay.
'debts' becomes 'IOUs' (promises to pay debts).
'following' says to put letters next to each other.
'from the french' becomes 'du' (French for 'from the').
'first bookmaker' becomes 'b' (1st letter of 'bookmaker').
'du'+'b'='dub'
'ious' put after 'dub' is 'DUBIOUS'.
'are' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dubious that I've seen before include "Uncertain - suspect" , "untrustworthy" , "Doubtful, uncertain" , "Open to suspicion" , "Unsure, unconvinced" .)