Inverted Mysteries: 5 Best 'Howcatchem' Shows of All Time

A standard crime drama plot usually follows the course of a crime investigation, at the end of which both the investigators and the audience learn who the criminal is. However, there are reverse mysteries where you know who the guilty party is from the beginning and watch as the protagonist comes to the right conclusion and proves the culprit's guilt.

These are called 'howcatchem' shows, and here are five of the best of the genre.

Motive (2013-2016, 4 seasons, 7.4 on IMDb)

Available on: Amazon Prime

Set in Vancouver, this police procedural follows Detective Angie Flynn as she investigates various crimes. Following the 'howcatchem' format, the show lets you know from the beginning what the crime is and who the perpetrator is. Meanwhile, the main character investigates the crime to reach a conclusion and make the final arrest and indictment of the criminal, who tries to cover up their guilt throughout the episode.

Elsbeth (2024-present, 1 season, 7.7 on IMDb)

Available on: Paramount+, Amazon Prime, Hulu

The second spin-off of the hit CBS legal drama The Good Wife, Elsbeth centers on Elsbeth Tascioni, a quirky and talented Chicago attorney who made multiple appearances on the original show and its first spin-off, The Good Fight. A reverse police procedural, this series differs from the previous installments of the franchise in that the title character investigates the murders that occur at the beginning of each episode and works as a detective rather than a defense attorney.

Poker Face (2023-present, 1 season, 7.8 on IMDb)

Available on: Peacock, Amazon Prime

Starring Natasha Lyonne, this comedy-drama follows Charlie Cale, a casino employee with a useful ability to spot lies. On the run from her boss after a strange tragedy at work, Charlie travels across the US and becomes involved in the mysterious deaths of people she encounters. Armed with her ability, Charlie must help solve the murders and catch the killers, even though she gets involved in the crimes by bad luck and solves them by sheer accident.

Columbo (1968-2003, 10 seasons, 8.3 on IMDb)

Available on: Peacock, Amazon Prime

The absolute classic of the 'howcatchem' genre, this iconic crime drama follows the titular Los Angeles Police Department detective as he investigates the many murders that occur throughout the series. While we see the crimes and the criminals at the beginning of each episode, the show puts more emphasis on Columbo finding evidence that proves his prime suspect's guilt and coming to the conclusion of why and how they committed the murder.

Luther (2010-2019, 5 seasons, 8.4 on IMDb)

Available on: Amazon Prime

The criminals on this BBC show aren't always murderers, but we still see them committing their crimes at the beginning of each episode, followed by the investigation by Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, portrayed by Idris Elba. Obsessively organized and dedicated to his work, Luther dives into each case with a passionate zeal – all to catch the criminal who will go to great lengths to cover up their crime.