I suspect that there are a few things that attracts people to the True Crime format, one I call the “train wreck effect” and the other is “that could happen to me too”. The train wreck effect is like a bad traffic accident on the roadway, no matter how awful it is people still can’t help but look to see. And the true crime shows on television have proven the “could that happen to me too” example over and over again. Another powerful reason is the “can I figure it out” or “could I do better” aspect of consumers.

And I add one more to our show, the motivation factor. For example, how many people listen to the stories of the guest and think, if they can build a life after these crimes and trauma, so can I.

[I’m one of the people who enjoy true-crime shows. Even before they became a staple on television, I enjoyed reading true-crime non-fiction books, especially Ann Rule’s books in the genre. The demystification of police work is one reason, and perhaps my adolescent ambition to go to law school (which mostly dissipated in my older teen years) is another, plus the factors above. I think the mystery factor may be the strongest of those. — Ed]