
Member Reviews

Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Readers' Favorite Nonfiction (2024)
Power, privilege, and blood—this is the definitive and thrilling true story of Alex Murdaugh’s violent downfall, from a veteran Wall Street Journal reporter who has become an authority on the case.
Alex Murdaugh was a benevolent dictator—the president of the South Carolina trial lawyers’ association, a political boss, a part-time prosecutor, and a partner in his family’s law firm. He was always ready with a favor, a drink, and an invitation to Moselle, his family’s 1,700-acre hunting estate. The Murdaugh name ignited respect—and fear—for a hundred miles.
When he murdered his wife, Maggie, and son Paul at Moselle on a dark summer night, the fragile façade of Alex’s world could no longer hold. His forefathers had covered up a midnight suicide at a remote railroad crossing, a bootlegging ring run from a courthouse, and the attempted murder of a pregnant lover. Alex, too, almost walked away from his unspeakable crimes with his reputation intact, but his downfall was secured by a twist of fate, some stray mistakes, and a fateful decision by an old friend who’d finally seen enough.
Why would a man who had everything kill his wife and grown son? To unwind the roots of Alex’s ruin, award-winning journalist Valerie Bauerlein reported not just from the courthouse every day but also along the backroads and through the tidal marshes of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. When the jurors made their pilgrimage to the crime scene, trying to envision Maggie and Paul’s last moments, she walked right behind them, sensing the ghosts that haunt the Murdaughs’ now-shattered legacy.
Through masterful research and cinematic writing, The Devil at His Elbow is a transporting journey through Alex’s life, the night of the murders, and the investigation that culminated in a trial that held tens of millions spellbound. With her stunning insights and fearless instinct for the truth, Bauerlein uncovers layers of the Murdaugh murder case that have not been told.
Okay I followed this story and watched all the shows on it! Then of course I had to read the books too! This one was incredible!
I loved that it told us all generations of the family. The Murdaugh case has everything, it is better than Grey's Anatomy when it comes to the drama! The way this book could have been very overwhelming to read but wasn't shows how great the author was at in detailing the timeline so that it makes sense and we can understand. If you haven't read this, do yourself a favor and read it!!

A riveting true crime master stroke. Gripping and very well researched, it explores the life and downfall of Alex Murdaugh who murdered his wife and son. The writing is elegant and evocative making the true story a gripping read.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

November 4, 2024 –
53.0%; so far this has been such an incredible perspective on everything to do with the Murdaugh family. but right now, i need to read something that’ll get my brain away from the injustices in our legal system.

My Rating:
3.5 Stars
My Opinion:
I really enjoyed this book. This has been a case I have been following since the Boat crash back in 2019. This is the most in-depth book I have read regarding the Murdaugh's. Bauerlein goes into the whole family history, the audience needs this is understand the power and position that the whole family has. I did not enjoy the format so much. It would jump from talking about former clients of Alex's then to his father or grandfather. I wish it was more smooth from point A to point B.

When I tell you I LOVED this book. It was a work of art; I've already recommended it to everyone I know. Bauerlein's mastery of the Murdaugh case is clear, as is the depth of her research. Every detail was meticulously described, every person's character so wonderfully fleshed out. I went into this knowing almost nothing about Murdaugh, and I honestly think that made it all the better. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire book, eager to find out how everything would be resolved. All I can say is you should absolutely read this as soon as possible.

I have read and watched a lot about the Alex Murdaugh case and this is definitely one of the best. The author had some firsthand accounts and had obviously done a lot of research. Alex's immediate family was examined, but also his ancestors and how family issues were passed down from one generation to the next. I never can get over how conniving not only Alex was, but also the rest of the family. It is a real-life tragedy with facts that are so terrible that they seem fictional. This is a must-read for true crime fans and anyone following this case.

Alex Murdaugh is one of a long line of the Murdaugh family firm of lawyers. His family name is both respected and feared, and he is used to getting what he wants and needs, and usually his way as well. This story starts off with a bang, where we learn that Alex is on trial for the murder of his wife and son. From there we travel back in time to learn about Alex's family and about Alex's habit of stealing money from his client's court settlements. It is a somewhat slow, but very steady build back to the actual night of the murder and then the eventual trial. The further I got into the book, the faster I read. Any number of things that Alex did would be shocking on their own, but when you put them all together he is a truly terrifying man. The details and the number of people in this book are a lot to keep track of and Valerie Bauerlein does a phenomenal job at presenting all of the facts. While this book is nonfiction, it reads like an excellent fiction true crime thriller, and there were many times I had to remind myself what I was reading was true. If you are a fan of John Grisham's more recent work then you are sure to like this book. I am in awe of Valerie's ability to piece together all of the facts in such a riveting way.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Though I had heard about Alex Murdaugh in the news, I was only aware of what had been reported about the murder of his wife and son. This book goes into meticulous detail, while keeping the reader engaged, to create a better understanding of the true impact the Murdaugh family had over the years, monopolizing the legal system in their county for their own personal benefit. Perhaps, its because I recently read a book about the Kennedy family and the various scandals with women over the years, but I couldn't help but draw a parallel between the Murdaugh family and the Kennedy family, though the Kennedy family was more famous and wide reaching in their fame. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. Thank you to the publisher and net galley for this free advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! Them Murdaughs were a trip. Alex was a true devil who only thought about himself and his needs. He screwed over so many people that really needed their insurance money. A miserable rich ass that didn't even care about what he did to his family
The author of this book was very precise with the details and very meticulous on everything that happened all the way to the end

Wow, just wow. The Devil at His Elbow by Valerie Bauerlein completely blew me away. This book dives headfirst into the infamous Murdaugh family saga, and let me tell you, it’s as haunting and twisted as true crime gets. Bauerlein doesn’t just lay out the facts—she weaves them into a story so gripping you forget it’s real life. Her writing is sharp and cinematic, pulling you into the tangled web of power, privilege, and the devastating consequences that come with them.
What really stood out for me was how vividly Bauerlein brought the South Carolina Lowcountry to life. You can almost feel the humidity and the eeriness of Moselle, the crime scene that’s as much a character in the story as the Murdaughs themselves. She balances being a seasoned journalist with a palpable sense of heartbreak over the tragedy, and that mix gives the book so much depth.
This isn’t just for true crime fans—it’s for anyone who loves a beautifully written, thought-provoking story. I couldn’t put it down and honestly can’t stop thinking about it. If you’re ready for a deep dive into one of the most shocking true crime cases in recent history, this is it.
Would I recommend it? A thousand times yes.

The writing is sharp and atmospheric, really pulling you into the main character’s world, and you can’t help but get tangled in his decisions. It’s one of those books where you’re never really sure who to root for, but that’s what makes it so interesting. If you like books that make you think and challenge your ideas about right and wrong, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

This is by far one of the best “true crime” books I have read. The writing was so good - sucks you in, is informative without feeling like a knowledge dump, and takes you along for the full insane ride that is Alex Murdaugh. Incredible writing. I’ll read anything this woman writes.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for this advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book. All opinions expressed are my own entirely.
I would like to preface by saying I do not typically read nonfiction books. However, I was very intrigued for a deep dive into the chaos of Alex Murdaugh. This book explains the Murdaugh family hierarchy and how the family rose to their political power in South Carolina. It outlines the different stressors of his life leading up to the murders of Maggie and Paul, including the boat accident in which Paul's reckless driving caused the death of a friend on board and his desperate need to steal from his clients. It also dives into the trial itself, with actual quotes, and what came after.
This is a very fact and detail heavy book. It was dull in some parts, but the information was relevant to paint the bigger picture and interesting enough to continue. I learned a lot about the case, which was my intended goal going into it. Alex came from a line of entitled white men, becoming the worst of them himself, and luckily his victims got some form of justice in the end.

5 stars
Wow, this family was more messed up than I thought, and it definitely didn't start with this generation. They're greed started way back but just got worse along the way. I thought Alex killing his Maggie and Paul was the worst thing he could have done, but I may have been wrong. All those people he swindled out of their money just so he could fund his lifestyle. I can't imagine what Paul would have been like had he had the chance to grow up given how he already was at such a young age. If you want to know everything about this dirty family, Valerie's book is it. She dug deep and found it all. Great book about horrible people.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25/5)
Not long ago, this story was all over the news. From a horrific boat crash to a murder of a wife and son, a hit-man shooting culminating in a high profile trial all in less than 5 years. There are so many deep, dark layers to the Murdaugh family that this book brings to light. Their elitist and entitled attitude is researched from the late 1800s to the trial ending in 2023. The Murdaugh Family has been running a South Carolina community for many years. So many crimes, so many innocent people affected. Alec brings down the family with his addiction, lies, embezzlement, cover ups and ultimately committing murder.
This book is long, almost 500 pages. It is well written and meticulously researched. It details the long line of deceit that had been handed down for generations. The family’s had an attitude that they could do anything and were above the law. No one in the family is without guilt. You need to applaud the lawyers that worked tirelessly to bring Alex to justice. Not to mention those that were wronged that testified. If you enjoy true crime stories, this is an excellent read.
Thanks to Random House, NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

What a story! If you are interested at all in the Murdach family and the murder trials and just how corrupt the whole family is, this is the book for you. It goes into great detail about Paul's run-ins and tragedies surrounding him. It also explains some of Alex's father and grandfather. While some of the information is what has been heard in the media, this was definitely interesting to read to see how everything was intertwined and fell into place. I really enjoyed this one.

Like many, I found myself following the Murdaugh court trial. There is so much to the Murdaugh dynasty that I was halfway through this book and I wasn't sure what else there was to talk about, there were events that I had completely forgotten about just due to the sheer number.
I found the first quarter of this book to be a little confusing as it goes back and forth in time. The author is trying to establish a history of the family, which is helpful except that many of the names repeat throughout different generations, making it difficult to keep track of who is who, and where in time we always were. I think this would be an interesting read for anyone who follows true crime story.

Love how the author gave factual information. The author puts you into the storyline and at the scenes making it more real. I found myself looking up the characters just to find more information and their pictures.

The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty – Valerie Bauerlein – 2024 –
This stunning True Crime narrative covers the chilling and disturbing pathology of Alex Murdaugh (1968-), a Hampton County S.C. disbarred attorney, who was found guilty on all counts of the murders of his wife Maggie and adult Son Paul on March 2nd 2023. In a trial that lasted for six weeks, a South Carolina jury deliberated for less than three hours before reaching a verdict.
A bedrock of Southern society is the Southern gentleman, an honest, truthful, and highly ethical man, a lawful upstanding citizen, and protector of his family. Alex Murdaugh was none of these things. By the time his true evil character was exposed to a shocked community and nation, Murdaugh was connected to three unsolved mysterious deaths, and of defrauding poor vulnerable clients and insurance companies of millions of dollars. He laundered money through unsuspecting local banks and his family law firm. After Alex attempted to fake his own death, he admitted to an addiction to hard drugs, from which he blamed his horrific acts and behaviors.
As Bauerlein carefully traced the Murdaugh family history, readers learned that Alex Murdaugh came from ancestors linked to secrecy, scandals, deceit, and debauchery. Randolf Murdaugh Sr. (1887-1940) established his family law firm among the Cypress and Pine trees in Hampton County, N.C. The region had never recovered from the Civil War, but the Southern low country justice system suited his ethos: “To rise above the law, you must become the law.” His orchestrated death netted the Murdaugh’s a large settlement from the Railroad. Randolf “Buster” Murdaugh Jr. (1915-1998) a desperate, “brash, loud, and theatrical” man hid a double life running the largest bootleg ring in S.C. Randolf Murdaugh III (1939-2021) was a “reasonable man,” less concerned about money, and solicitor of the 14th Circuit and senior partner in the family law firm. He lived long enough to see his seriously troubled son and grandson engulfed in willful lawlessness that ruined the family name and brought down the Murdaugh dynasty.
Valerie Bauerlein studied English and French and earned a BA from Duke University, she has written about Southern culture, social and economic justice for significant publications, and is a reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Penguin Random House. “The Devil at His Elbow:” is her first book. With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for the purpose of review.

I received this as a digital galley from NetGalley.
I can't stop reading about this case?! It's just so confounding. This was one of the better written and researched projects on the case.