The New Netflix True Crime Series That's Captivating Viewers

On Netflix, there is no shortage of true crime movies and television shows to pick from. Whether you're looking for more information on that sensationalized murder you read about last year, like "American Murder: The Family Next Door," or you're more interested in learning about murderers that have slipped under your radar, such as "Don't F*** With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer," the show for you is waiting on Netflix. With all the different true crime options, when you see something creeping up in the top 10 TV shows list, you know it has to be something interesting. 

The new and fascinating true-crime documentary "The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman," tugs at your emotions right from the beginning — Sophie and Jake Clifton speak while looking into the camera, telling their mother that they love her, and they just want to see her again. Thus, we begin the story about convicted conman Hendy-Freegard, with the story weaving back and forth between his previous victims, and the children of Sandra Clifton, who believe she is his latest victim.

Since it debuted on January 18th, the show has quickly moved into the top 10 TV shows on Netflix, and for good reason. The subject — Hendy-Freegard — isn't well-known, even though his cons and deceptions stretch back to 1993. He would pretend to be a British MI5 agent (Military Intelligence, Section 5), investigating Irish Republic Army (IRA) cells, or small groups of members who worked together to avoid "infiltration," per Brittanica. Due to the high threat of the IRA at the time, he convinced his victims that their lives were in danger and they needed to go on the run or into hiding with him. While they gave him every penny they had to fund his "operations," they lived in squalor (via Shropshire Star).

Hendy-Freegard was eventually arrested after one of his victim's parents called the police when they thought he seemed suspicious. Unlike some other documentaries that seem to drag on, "The Puppet Master" keeps everything succinct and to the point. Hearing first-person accounts from his victims and his girlfriend's children make it all the more heart-wrenching to watch. This is definitely one to check out while it's available.