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Mindhunter (Netflix) Two seasons of this riveting and scary show streamed 2017-2019. Despite its popularity, a third season was not ordered. Searching the minds of serial killers is grim business, and this show examines where it all started. Fictional, but incorporates real cases. Could there be additional life to this series? There’s a lot of buzz about it.

✅Watch

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True Detective (Max) There are four seasons thus far. The first season was launched in 2014 starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. Season two starred starring Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch, Kelly Reilly, and Vince Vaughn, aired in 2015. Season three dropped in 2019, starring starring Mahershala Ali, Carmen Ejogo and Stephen Dorff. Season four starred Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, aired in 2024.

Each season was set in a different location and different cases. The characters are all flawed, and some are not likable, which makes investing in the season somewhat challenging. Stories to not unfold in a linear structure, which forces your memory and pushes watching episodes close together. Most viewers seem to pick season one as the best, I agree. The other seasons have their pluses and negatives, but are less enjoyable than season one.

✅Watch the first season, then decide on the others.

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Bosch and Bosch: Legacy (Prime) Together, there are ten seasons, the last three have a smaller cast and focus on Bosch retired from the LAPD and working as a private investigator. Harry Bosch is a senior detective who works murder cases, and has a special interest in unsolved cold cases. The Bosch character was originated by mystery writer Michael Connelly in a series of very successful books. The TV series was developed in collaboration with Connelly, who has other book series developed in TV series. Titus Welliver is Harry Bosch; what incredible casting. Lance Reddick, Mimi Rogers, and Troy Evans are just a few of the stalwart cast. Bosch is my all-time favorite series. Ten seasons was not enough.

✅Watch, absolutely!

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Reacher (Prime) Adapted from the Lee Child book series. Three seasons have streamed and a fourth is on the way. Alan Ritchson stars as Reacher and he’s as intimidating onscreen as the character in the books. Each season is a different locale and story, drawn from a Reacher book. Expect a supporting character or two to appear from earlier seasons.

✅Watch

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The Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix) Adapted from another Michael Connelly book series by David E. Kelley and Ted Humphrey. Three seasons have been released with a fourth expected. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo stars as attorney Mickey Haller. The show is smarty written and acted. Having read most of the books, the series seems to depart from the Haller character, but not in a bad way. Garcia-Rulfo really fits this version of Haller. This series is a winner.

✅Watch

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Sneaky Pete (Prime) Starring Giovanni Ribis. Deadline: “A con man who gets out of prison only to find himself hunted by the vicious gangster he once robbed. With nowhere else to turn, he takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of his cellmate, Pete and then “reunites” with Pete’s estranged family. Great premise, Bryan Cranston helped develop the series. Dropped in 2015, it ran for three seasons. I didn’t make it through season one. I hated the main character and didn’t find truth in the show’s premise. I tried. Great audience scores, but I can’t recommend.

❌Skip

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The Residence (Netflix) Just out this year, a murder or suicide happens at the White House during a State Dinner. Lots of suspects. The case is investigated that night by the DC police, who bring in a consulting detective. This is a mystery-comedy that moves with the speed of light. So much is happening, and it’s presented with jumps in time. You better pay attention!

Created by Paul William Davies, who produced it with Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. Stars Uzo” Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Jason Lee, Al Franken, Jane Curtin and many others. This is an awesome series, but they set the bar really high with the first season.

✅Watch, Absolutely!

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Bad Monkey (AppleTV+) I’m a little jaded by Vince Vaughn, his choices have been on the disappointing side of the ledger. Vaughn plays a police detective in South Florida who is demoted to environmental inspector, but that doesn’t stop him from investigating a case involving an arm. Created by Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso, Shrinking), this comedy has a lot of quirky characters and strange happenings, but Vaughn has that easy charm and attitude to navigate through the oddest things as if they are natural.

✅Watch

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The Good Cop (Netflix) This show only streamed for one year (2018), and that’s a shame because it has charm and a light touch. Created by Andrew Beckman (Monk), this show should have stayed around for years. Tony Danza is the father, a disgraced NYPD detective who served time in prison, and lives with son, played by Josh Groban, a current police lieutenant who is strictly by the book – they are an odd couple. The interplay between the characters drives the drama as the dad gets involved in his son’s cases and personal life.

✅Watch

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Goliath (Prime) Four seasons of Billy Bob Thornton playing Billy McBride, a washed-out, alcoholic lawyer who takes on cases against giant, sinister interests. McBride collects odd characters in his life that seem to mesh with his unusual style. Season one was the best, the most straightforward law drama, each subsequent season got weirder and weirder, in style and story.

✅Watch Season one, for sure. The remaining seasons – a toss-up.

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Stay turned for another edition of Crime and Mystery: Streaming Series to Watch or Avoid.