Crossword Genius

Trick female employed, making one puzzled (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

confused

'puzzled' is the definition.
('confuse' can be a synonym of 'puzzle')

'trick female employed' is the wordplay.
'trick' becomes 'con' (a con is a fraud or trick).
'female' becomes 'f' (common abbreviation).
'employed' becomes 'used' ('use' can be a synonym of 'employ').
'con'+'f'+'used'='CONFUSED'

'making one' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for confused that I've seen before include "Perplexed, befuddled" , "at sea" , "Muddled" , "Disorientated" , "Bewildered, perplexed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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