Linking me with shocking crimes is compulsively fascinating (8)
I believe the answer is:
mesmeric
'fascinating' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mesmeric that I've seen before include "Hypnotic, spellbinding" , "Fascinating" , "Hypnotic and compelling" .)