<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper"><strong>Hunting season</strong></h2>

Baby Reindeer is the show television executives dream of. It was made on a low budget and released with little fanfare. Writer and star Richard Gadd did much of the promotion himself. But soon after appearing on NetflixA television and film streaming service. People pay each month to watch programmes on Netflix. , it exploded. 

It has become the TV sensation of the year. The numbers speak for themselves. In one week, it had 2.6 million viewers. The next week that increased to 13.3 million, then to 22 million after three.¹

It has also earned rave reviews. Forbes called it "a devastating examination of trauma and abuse". It gained the approval of legendary horror writer Stephen King. And it is expected to scoop up EmmyThe Emmy Awards are television industry awards. nominations.

Baby Reindeer's success comes in part due to its sensational plot. It is based on Gadd's experience as a struggling comedian harassed by a sinister stalker, called Martha in the show.

But some of the appeal comes from what Gadd has hidden. Fans have become armchair detectives, desperate to find the real-life inspirations behind the show's characters.

Every now and then we become thrilled by a juicy real-life mystery. True crime podcasts and shows command huge audiences eager to work out a solution.²

Some worry whether this is good for us. A moral question mark hovers above our love of crime stories. Baby Reindeer has created a fever. It has had destructive consequences for women accused of being the real Martha. One has reported facing death threats. Our mystery mania runs the risk of hurting people.³

It even can disrupt real detective work. After a British woman, Nicola Bulley, accidentally drowned last year, dozens of social media users stepped in. Many claimed it was a murder. The police had to work around conspiracy theories.⁴

Yet it could be argued that this is just human nature. Victorians were obsessed with Maria Manning's motivations⁵ and poured over the identity of Jack the RipperA serial killer in Victorian London who savagely murdered at least five women. The case intrigued the press and it received a great deal of coverage.. Humans often find pleasure in horrific stories.

True crime stories might be educational. They help us work out how to avoid becoming victims ourselves. Writer Roz Watkins says: "Stories, especially true stories, teach us about other people and about how to keep ourselves safe in the world."

But is it wrong to be an armchair detective?

Yes: We should leave things to the professionals. Those involved in an unsolved mystery are, at the end of the day, people with real lives and emotions. Armchair detecting often just ends up causing pain.

No: The ends often justify the means. The police can be poorly resourced, brutish and corrupt. Amateur sleuths can genuinely help to solve crimes that law enforcement and legal officials have got wrong.

Or... We all live our lives as if we are the main character. People have an urge to step in and become heroes in an exciting story. It is just part of human nature, however damaging the consequences.

Netflix - A television and film streaming service. People pay each month to watch programmes on Netflix.

Emmy - The Emmy Awards are television industry awards.

Jack the Ripper - A serial killer in Victorian London who savagely murdered at least five women. The case intrigued the press and it received a great deal of coverage.