True crime seems like the media sensation of the decade. It’s the fastest-growing genre of writing, and millions of us stream documentaries or listen to podcasts about the most infamous criminal cases. Curious about this ever-expanding popular obsession, I dubiously dipped my toes into the true crime foray - and found myself utterly addicted.

First Impressions

When I started seeing true crime documentaries all over Netflix, and my friends were raving about the latest armchair sleuth podcasts they couldn’t stop listening to, I started to feel like I was missing out. However, I had my reservations about getting absorbed into the true crime world.

True crime felt a bit too grimy for my liking, with its aura of voyeurism and reputation for obsessiveness bordering on the morbid. Yet perhaps we all get drawn to anything with an edge of taboo.

I was also shocked to read articles about the lack of respect for victim’s families shown by documentary makers, or the genre’s problematic tendency to glorify convicted murderers, which led me to question the ethical issues of true crime. 

Getting Hooked

It all began when I signed up to take a Crime Fiction module on my English Literature degree. Our tutor was a huge true crime fan, constantly recommending books and documentaries and berating us if we’d never heard of them! 

I decided to try watching Mindhunter on Netflix and that was it - I was hooked. Within a few weeks, I had devoured three bestselling true crime books, listened to countless podcasts, and gone down YouTube rabbit holes about unsolved crimes.

Meanwhile, our Crime Fiction seminars were filled with discussions about the best documentaries we’d watched or the cases we’d been reading about. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one becoming addicted.

Finding Potential

As with any form of journalism, there will always be those who are only interested in the sensational surface of a story and exploit the misery of others. However, as I learnt more about the genre I began to notice its potential to do good.

True crime can drive accountability, expose flaws in the justice system, raise the profile of important social issues or even help to solve cold cases. It can redeem the wrongfully convicted or renew interest in a case to bring in fresh tips.

Improvements have been made in true crime’s ethical consciousness too. The writers and creators within the genre seem to be gaining awareness of the responsibility they take on with each story, giving more space to focus on victims and their families.

Recommendations

New to the true crime genre? Here are some classics to provide a perfect foundation for any beginner:

Books: Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara.

Podcasts: Serial, The Teacher’s Pet (recommended by Alex in this article) and The Man at the Window (recommended by Nat in this article).

You should also definitely check out Danielle’s article on The Best True Crime Documentaries To Watch Right Now (And Where to Watch Them)

The Final Verdict

True crime is an exciting, fast-moving, and incisive genre in all its forms - we just have to keep demanding narratives that promote justice instead of sensationalism.

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Written by Florence Edwards