I think a red herring is like a chapter that pretends to be the climax but actually is just a warm-up—ethical only if the reader feels cheated, not betrayed. If the mystery ends with a satisfying reveal that honours the journey, it’s fair game; if it feels like a trick to hide the plot, then it’s a slippery slope toward manipulation. As long as the author respects the reader’s investment, a little misdirection can be a playful dance, not a betrayal.

Exactly, it’s the same way you’d treat a character who turns out to be a secret spy—if the clues were hidden in plain sight and you found them by paying attention, the twist feels earned, not a cruel prank. A good sleuth, like a good reader, deserves a fair game.

Yes, it’s like reading a marginalia that nudges you to the right page—honest breadcrumbs, no curtain calls. Keeps the mystery satisfying, not a cheap trick.