From ritzy beach towns where secrets are buried deeper than the mayor’s offshore accounts, to creepy villages where “friendly neighbor” might mean “potential axe murderer,” these series will make you feel like an armchair detective in no time.

Big Little Lies (Max)

Set in the beautiful seaside town of Monterey, Big Little Lies starts with an upscale PTA meeting that suddenly spirals into a murder mystery. The HBO Max series features a star-studded cast (including Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Zoe Kravitz, Laura Dern, and Shailene Woodley) of moms hiding way more secrets than their kids, it’s all picture-perfect until a school fundraiser ends in tragedy. The multi-season drama draws you into its web of secrets and lies and will leave you completely absorbed in figuring out who’s behind it all.

The Undoing (Max)

The Undoing explores what happens when a seemingly perfect husband becomes the prime suspect in a murder case. Nicole Kidman’s character finds her pristine New York life shattered in an instant, while her glamorous Upper East Side life slowly unravels into chaos. The miniseries leaves you second-guessing everyone, right up until the shocking finale.

Sharp Objects (Max)

Sharp Objects brings us a murder mystery with the perfect amount of Southern Gothic creepiness. Amy Adams plays a troubled reporter returning to her hometown to cover a murder, but she’s got more issues than the case she’s working on. With family secrets bubbling up faster than drama at a Thanksgiving dinner, this show pulls you into its dark, twisted world. Fair warning: you’ll feel like you need a shower afterward, but you won’t be able to look away.

Mare of Easttown (Max)

In Mare of Easttown, Kate Winslet trades in her usual glam for the gritty reality of a small-town detective. Her character is dedicated to solving the murder of a young woman while she juggles personal and professional relationships.  With its twists and turns, the series keeps you guessing as more secrets about the town and its people are revealed. 

The White Lotus (Max)

Imagine the most uncomfortable vacation ever, sprinkle in a murder, and you’ve got The White Lotus. It’s like a mix of Fantasy Island and Clue but with far more cringe-worthy moments courtesy of wealthy, entitled guests. Each season offers a new exotic setting and a fresh batch of characters whose problems are as unsettling as they are hilarious.  

The Outsider (Max)

For Stephen King fans, The Outsider starts as your classic murder mystery before diving headfirst into the supernatural. Think True Detective meets The X-Files. Despite the solid alibis, and undeniable evidence, the prime suspect seems to have the ability to be in two places at once. Prepare for your mind to be blown as the mystery takes unexpected, creepy twists that keep you guessing until the end.

A Girl’s Guide to Murder (Netflix)

High school drama and true crime collide in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Like a modern-day Nancy Drew, Pip is determined to solve a closed case that’s far more complicated than it appears. It also doesn’t help that her friends and family keep trying to deter her at every turn. This English murder mystery might just leave you looking at everyone in your own town with a bit more suspicion.

Shining Girls (Apple TV+)

With a time-traveling serial killer and shifting realities, Shining Girls isn’t a typical murder mystery. Elisabeth Moss delivers a gripping performance as a woman hunting down a murderer who can hop between decades. It feels like a mind-bending blend of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Se7en, with constant timeline jumps that’ll leave your brain doing cartwheels.