Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this e-ARC! I do my reviews on my social media platforms. I am currently working on getting through my reviews so stay tuned! Leaving a rating as a placeholder for me and to not effect the books rating in order to post this. Thanks again!

"Staging his own death was just the latest chapter for Alex in a rollercoaster of murder plots, financial crimes, and drug addiction, straight out of a Southern Gothic novel."

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Within the South Carolina lowcountry, the Murdaugh name incites power and fear. A century-old, multimillion-dollar law practice developed by the first generation of Murdaughs has capulted the family into South Carolina royalty. However, it is tragedy of the worst kind that would introduce the South Carolina royal family to the rest of the world.

Going into this book, all I knew about the family was what I had heard in the news regarding the murders of Maggie and Paul. Fortunately, the author did extensive research regarding the family and was able to include everything a reader would need to know. This book made me so sad at parts to see how much Alex and his family extorted the loyal people of the town they had lived in for generations. Alex stole millions of dollars from his clients and funneled them into a private account so that his wife, Maggie, and his sons could have the best of everything. The hardest part of this book was reading about the death of Mallory Beach. Everyone on the boat did everything in their power to keep themselves safe and what should have been a night of fun ended in the worst tragedy possible. The worst part of learning more about the family was reading about every crime (including murder) they were allowed to get away with because of the influence they had within the community. All of the lawyers and judges were so afraid of Alex that they would not prosecute any crimes that had the name Murdaugh attached to them.

Overall, I would give this extremely well-written book 4/5 stars and recommend it to anyone who was following the Alex Murdaugh trial and is interested in finding out more about this unbelievably twisted family.

As a paralegal working within the legal system, I found this book particularly necessary to shine a spotlight on the importance of impartiality and integrity in both the investigative and trial process. When I worked for two circuit judges, I saw first hand the inner workings of the system sworn to serve and protect, meant to offer justice to victims of crime. This case underscores some of the glaring issues that remain to be dismantled, such as voluntary blindness, which is so prevalent in places like the south. elements of entitlement and special treatment are so common in this case, they are practically habitual, and unchecked privilege is corrosive to people's trust in the system. This book is a call-to-action for legal professionals like myself to be more firm in upholding the principles we were instilled in us in our Legal Ethics course. I think Glatt did a great job exploring his insights of the Murdaugh murders, but an even greater job in exemplifying why we must ensure that justice is truly blind.

This family is insane and I cannot get enough of this story. Another juicy entree into the Murdaugh family saga. What a train wreck.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Tangled Vines by John Glatt in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I have been following the Murdaugh story so was excited to be approved to read this. WOW - the level of deceit and hurt this family has caused so many is just mind blowing. John did a great job of keeping me interested and I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at so many parts of this book - talk about awful humans! I hope everyone that has been affected by this family can heal in their own time and I pray for peace and happiness for all of them in the future.

As someone who has closely followed the ongoing saga involving this horribly sad case, I was really grateful that St. Martin's Press and NetGalley provided me an ARC so that I could read this book. It provided additional background and insight into the Murdaugh family, and further illuminated the unfolding tragedy we’ve watched unfold for the past few years.

“Tangled Vines” is without a doubt a well-written work of true crime non-fiction.

Overall enjoyed it, this author does a good job of writing true crime in a way that isn’t boring. However, with the amount of media attention this case received I didn’t feel like the book brought anything “new” that we as the public didn’t already know. I wish there was more about the investigation into how they found evidence incriminating him in the murder of his family.

I followed this case pretty much from the beginning, but this gave a lot more background than what I knew. The version I read (the Arc) was completed prior to the trial and I see that the official published version has it in there.

Thank you so much NetGalley, this shed a lot of light on the family.

We've all heard about the Murdaugh murders by now, but this book is an in-depth look into so much we didn't hear on the news or in podcasts. I enjoyed this book and its definitely up there in the true-crime realm.

I have been on a nonfiction kick recently and the complexity of this case really stood out to me. The author captured my attention immediately and held that attention which can be difficult in books like this.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I dont think there is much in this book that was not in the documentary shown on Netflix other than the family background, which is a little difficult to follow and get through, but it was quite amazing to see how far the history of lawyers in the family had stretched. The amount of cover ups, lies, and conniving behavior will astound you with all of the detailed accounts and explanations. The boat crash scene was described extremely well and with so much detail and feeling, that was when it began that I didnt want to put the boom down, even knowing what I did from the television documentary.

This is my second true crime book I have read by John Glatt, the other being on the Christopher Watts case and I have to say he never skimps on details, does amazing research, and is an excellent writer of these stories! I would love to check out more of his books and definitely recommend them!

John Glatt is one of my favorite True Crime authors. I love the way he writes and the books are always on point and interesting.

👋 Hey, Hey, Hey - Mini Reviews 👋

Hey! Zoe and I are still here, but it’s taking longer than anticipated for me to get back to regular posting. 😜 Having kids out of school makes unpacking harder and I knew we had a ton of stuff, but phew! 🫣 It’s ridiculous even with the excessive purging. 📦📦📦

Here are the books I’ve read since I’ve been absent/moving…I’m still reading! OK, so audiobooks mostly, but I’m getting them checked off! ✅✅✅

Tangled Vines - This one is about the Murdaugh family murders. It was eye-opening and disturbing, yet just wasn’t my favorite. It was OK for me. 🤷‍♀️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Glatt has done it again! He has written another compelling true crime story about power, greed, white male privilege, and murder! I love this author's books, and this one did not disappoint!

If you haven't yet watched the Netflix series, wait and read this book first! It was meticulously researched and written, starting with the family history from over a hundred years ago. It details each generation and the downward spiral of the Murdaugh family dynasty.

This author also knows how to spin the story to maximize both emotional reaction and jaw-dropping disbelief. I was spitting mad several times over the course of my reading experience and jumping for joy by the end. I absolutely can not wait to see what this author comes out with next!

A gracious thank you to @StMartinsPress and @Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tangled Vines: Power, Privilege, and the Murdaugh Family Murders was a good true crime read by John Glatt. This book follows the rise of the Murdaugh family and the double murder that led to the downfall of Alex Murdaugh. The Murdaugh name means power in the South Carolina low country. The family has a century-old multimillion-dollar law practice that has made them wealth and local celebrities. On June 7th, 2021 attorney Alex Murdaugh discovered his wife and Son dead on the grounds of their hunting lodge. Months later, Alex himself was discovered shot in the head on the side of the road. While investigating, dark secrets about the family come to light. The family weilded their wealth and influence to portect one of their own. I enjoyed reading thisbook and cant wait to read more by the author.

Many thanks to the publisher for my copy - all opinions are my own.

I feel like I have been soaking up every podcast, book, documentary and article relating to the many, many crazy crimes this family committed and somehow this book STILL managed to unearth so many more details and so much more depravity that I was left totally shocked from chapter to chapter.

To say this is a completely insane and wildly privileged family would be an understatement. While overall, they did continue to experience tragedy upon tragedy, so much of it was brought on by themselves to themselves. The ever piling-up of crimes, the disregard for other human beings, the ego, the greed.....it is truly nearly unbelievable except that it actually happened. Soap operas couldn't dream up this much drama for one family.

Truly a must have for true crime fanatics. This is good one.

Well written and the reader gets a behind the scene detail of the workings of the Murdaugh family. I was captivated because the true story had so many twists and turns.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
A very well researched true crime book about the Murdaugh family saga.
Author did a good job with the facts of the case and the investigation.
This is one strange family and it is just never ending with the crime.

I had not paid much attention to the Murdaugh saga, including the trial, and therefore had only limited knowledge, mostly related to him murdering his wife and son, before reading the book. The full extent of Murdaugh’s crimes is astounding. It is also disturbing and disappointing, though not surprising, how much Alex, Paul, and other members of the family were able to get away with over the years, in some cases decades, and how many people and institutions were willing to look the other way until circumstances made it impossible to continue doing so. The book amply demonstrates the corrosive effect that wealth and power can have, especially when people feel entitled to the perks and privileges that wealth and power provide.

“The scope of Murdaugh’s depravity is without precedent.”

“But it didn’t take long for Little Paul to get a reputation for being arrogant with a sense of entitlement. ‘I just remember him [proclaiming],’ said Taylor Dobson, who knew him growing up. ‘My last name’s Murdaugh [and] I can do whatever I like.’” 🙄😒🤦🏼‍♀️

Oomph these are some twisted and shady people, man.

The story of this family is insane and almost too crazy to believe…but not quite. I can see how this could happen as it seems to be almost a formula with extreme generational wealth. One man starts it, works hard, and makes a ton of money. And then each subsequent generation is a little more entitled until one asshole spends it all and ruins the family name. That’s the Murdaugh’s in a nutshell.

This book was very well researched and informative and I went on to watch the documentary as soon as I finished the book.

Thank you to Netgalley, St, Martin’s Press, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.