The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word INTRIGUE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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More clues leading to the result INTRIGUE
- Given international platform, Europe set up scheme
- Popular soldier making comeback in valid scheme
- Popular US soldier sent back in genuine conspiracy
- Conspiracy to be fascinating
- Plot’s fascinating quality
- Scheme for mountaineering trip is one-man short
- A plot to arouse your curiosity
- Plotting in Italy disrupted, e.g., Turin
- Create interest in plot
- Plot clandestine love affair
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Conspiracy/to be fascinating" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case conspiracy/to be fascinating = intrigue.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does INTRIGUE mean?
INTRIGUE noun- A complicated or clandestine plot or scheme intended to effect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem.
- The plot of a play, poem or romance; the series of complications in which a writer involves their imaginary characters.
- Clandestine intercourse between persons; illicit intimacy; a liaison or affair.
- To conceive or carry out a secret plan intended to harm; to form a plot or scheme.
- To arouse the interest of; to fascinate.
- To have clandestine or illicit intercourse.
- To fill with artifice and duplicity; to complicate.