Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Tantor Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new true crime book by John Glatt, narrated by Shaun Grindell - 4 stars!

This is the story of the Murdaugh family and its hold on the South Carolina low country where they lived and worked for centuries. But the story really took off when prominent attorney Alex Murdaugh discovered the bodies of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, on the grounds of their lodge. Then months later, Alex himself was discovered shot in the head on a local roadside. It's also the story of all the corruption this family was involved with, stealing their clients' settlements, making their own bad behaviors go away, and even covering up murders.

While this story has been in the headlines over the last couple years, this book really covered all the gifts and privileges this one family enjoyed for a century, and all the ways they abused that power. It's shameful to know how many people this family had in their pockets and the power they wielded to allow their own bad behavior to go unpunished. A must read for true crime buffs! My only issue was that it was a little strange to listen to the audiotape narrated by a British voice when the subject matter was a deep southern family. He did a great job; I just feel his voice wasn't the right one for this book.

Tangled Vines is a well written book about appalling human behavior, greed, and hubris. Each chapter pulls back and reveals the heart of evil. Must read! Thank you to NetGalley.

I've watched a whole lot on the Murdaugh family so I wasn't sure if this would work for me. Even if you think you have seen/read everything, read this book. The way Glatt tells this story is incredible and I saw it from so many new angles. A must read for true crime fans.

I am only vaguely familiar with the Alex Murdaugh trial, which reached a verdict earlier this year. Unfortunately, I am still only vaguely familiar with the details of the case. Many other reviewers note that this book was probably released too soon after the trial's conclusion. I admit, when I first learned of this book, I was surprised that it was publishing so quickly. Unfortunately, that sense of urgency in its publication schedule is reflected in the quality of the writing. The writing itself feels very rushed, with the story unfolding in a series of extremely brief vignettes with jarring transitions. It almost feels as if the book is a compilation of loosely related news clippings, instead of a cohesive narrative.

I DNF'ed just shy of the first hundred pages, as I was still deep in the extremely detailed account of the family's history. My main takeaway from that section was the extreme power and influence of the Murdaugh family, including their sway over local law enforcement, which helped them sweep family members' minor (up to this point) messes under the rug. I'm sure the interesting, more salacious coverups would have come shortly after I stopped reading, but the writing style wasn't compelling enough to keep me engaged. I wonder if this book had prioritized style over timeliness, if it would be a better read.

Review of Tangled Vines by John Glatt

I am an absolute fan of true crime, and I don’t read enough of it. I was so thrilled to receive this book in the mail from @stmartinspress. Like many of us I was obsessed with the Murdaugh family. I’ve watched all the documentaries and watched all the news shows. This book gave me everything I was looking for. Not only the stories of what we have heard and seen on the news, but a large amount of backstory about the history of the family going all the way back to the 1700s. I found it all very fascinating and I highly recommend this one for anyone who enjoys true crime nonfiction books.

Synopsis:

Among the lush, tree-lined waterways of South Carolina low country, the Murdaugh name means power. A century-old, multimillion-dollar law practice has catapulted the family into incredible wealth and local celebrity―but it was an unimaginable tragedy that would thrust them into the national spotlight. On June 7th, 2021, prominent attorney Alex Murdaugh discovered the bodies of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, on the grounds of their thousand-acre hunting lodge. The mystery deepened only months later when Alex himself was discovered shot in the head on a local roadside.

But as authorities scrambled for clues and the community reeled from the loss and media attention, dark secrets about this Southern legal dynasty came to light. The Murdaughs, it turned out, were feared as much as they were loved. And they wouldn’t hesitate to wield their influence to protect one of their own; two years before he was killed, a highly intoxicated Paul Murdaugh was at the helm of a boat when it crashed and killed a teenage girl, and his light treatment by police led to speculation that privilege had come into play. As bombshells of financial fraud were revealed and more suspicious deaths were linked to the Murdaughs, a new portrait of Alex Murdaugh emerged: a desperate man on the brink of ruin who would do anything, even plan his own death, to save his family’s reputation.

This was a very interesting read, going very deep into the Murdaugh Family history. After watching the trial and also the documentaries, this was a very good recap, but also mentioned things that I didn't know about. Overall, a great book! Thank you to Netgalley for the preview!

4-4.25 STARS

“Tangled Vines” delivers a very detailed recounting of the Murdaugh family dynasty and its legacy of corruption that was handed down from generation to generation. While interesting and insightful, much of what is written pertains to events leading up to the infamous murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, with little light shed on the events that transpired during the actual trial or of Alex’s subsequent conviction. Still, I found this book to be a compelling read, as it shines a bright spotlight on the absolute abuse of wealth and power enjoyed by the Murdaugh family spanning over many decades.

I don't think anyone in the US didn't already know about the Murdaughs. And living in NC and working for attorneys, I had a pretty solid knowledge of this family and all they have done.

I felt this book gave a very accurate, detailed history of the Murdaughs. Their power. The family members. And all they got away with - until they didn't.

This family had generations of skirting the law when they saw fit. But the recent generations took it to a whole new level. Alex and his wife Maggie let their sons drink while underage, which led to Paul driving a boat drunk that crashed and ended up in the death of a teenage girl. Their housekeeper's mysterious death falling down the stairs at their home. Missing money from settlements of Alex's clients. And ending with the murder of Maggie and Paul at one of their properties, resulting in Alex's arrest for the same.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Tantor Audio for both an ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Seasoned investigative reporter Jim Glatt's latest true crime book, TANGLED VINES: Power, Privilege, and the Murdaugh Family Murders, focuses on a prominent recent murder trial of Richard Alexander Murdaugh from the powerful South Carolina legal family and its history.

A century-old, multimillion-dollar law practice brought the family into incredible wealth, power, and privilege―but it was an unimaginable tragedy that would thrust them into the national spotlight.

On June 7th, 2021, prominent attorney Alex Murdaugh discovered the bodies of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, on the grounds of their thousand-acre hunting lodge. The mystery deepened only months later when Alex was discovered shot in the head on a local roadside.

The author explores the family history through the generations, born in Islandton, SC, in 1793, and the son who became the first lawyer in the family opening a one-man law practice in 1910. Taking readers to the next century and the Murdaugh name with three generations of lawyers.

By the time Murdaugh graduated from law school in 1994, new state laws had made it illegal for solicitors to also practice civil law. He joined the family law firm specializing in personal injury cases. Then his intoxicated teen son Paul drove a boat into a bridge and killed Mallory Beach, his nineteen-year-old friend.

Then in June 2021, Murdaugh found his wife and Paul shot to death at his hunting estate—a double murder for which he would be later convicted. Then Murdaugh was caught stealing ten million dollars of funds from his clients. Three days later his father, Randolph III, died of cancer after a long illness.

What happened after Alex ordered Fast Eddie to shoot him remains unclear.

The dark secrets of this Southern family are unraveled and come to light. They used their power, privilege, and influence to protect their own. From the financial fraud and the suspicious deaths linked to the Murdaughs, Alex was a desperate man on the brink of losing everything and his reputation who would do anything, even planning his death.

With a lot of media surrounding this family and murder, as well as podcasts and Netflix series, the author provides an in-depth family history. Their powers and influence were limitless. They had lorded it over judges, politicians, and top law officials for 86 years before Alex's father retired in 2006, appointing his own handpicked successor. The family ran one of South Carolina's top law firms, specializing in personal injury cases for the little man, which netted them millions of dollars a year.

Downplaying their wealth and privilege for political reasons, the Murdaugh family enjoyed their huge plantation estates, hunting lodges, and waterfront properties, including one called "Murdaugh Island." They appeared to be above the law and impervious to any legal consequences.

There are other questionable deaths with suspicion around the family; however, the Murdaugh family name, its power, and prestige allowed them not to be held accountable until all is unraveled with the deaths of Maggie and Paul.

The book details the corruption, the money Murdaugh stole, how he did so, and the victims—from fraud and embezzling to murder, making the beautiful Low Country feel dirty from the family history and the politics which goes back years. The author uses this background information effectively to help readers understand this entitled family and its motives. Murdaugh thought he would get away with his crimes.

As the author mentions—this is a twenty-first Greek tragedy that has played out in real-time as the world watches aghast. The author uses personal interviews, police records, and Alex's highly revealing jailhouse phone calls to his family, providing insight into his true character and many other interviews—some desiring to remain anonymous.

Glatt says he cannot say if Alex is a true sociopath, but in all the true crime books he has written, he has never come across anyone as dark and devoid of conscience as he appears to be.

The book was easier to follow than the audio, like someone reading a script without emotion, and the narrative was a little dry. While I liked the book's front cover, I did not care for the audiobook cover. I usually like this narrator, Shaun Grindell; however, it may be due to the non-fiction material.

There were a lot of characters to keep up with, from politicians, officials, clients, and family. Anyone who enjoys true crime and has followed the Murdaugh trials or readers who may not be familiar with the murders will appreciate the detail and research. It does not cover the trial and his ultimate conviction, but perhaps the final publication will include these details.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Tantor Audio for a gifted ARC and ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 8, 2023
Aug 2023 Must-Read Books

Tangled Vines is a reminder of what the rich consider “the good old days” in which rich people ran amok. Weirdly, they still do but the few who are stopped are really salty about the fact thney can’t quite do everything their ancestors did. The Murdauchs are horrible people. I think they gave all of their kids he same names just to confuse the records when one of them almost had consequences for their actions. Watching recent events, there are definitely grand old boys who are trying to bring back those days. I thought I already had the loweszt opinion of them I could have. I am admitting I was wrong.

As a true crime fan, I was pretty excited to get my hands on an advanced copy of this book. Lots of history given which helped me understand the contributing factors and lent itself well to the story. The actual case is covered in depth, including after the trial. That being said, it wasn't the most excitingly written piece. The information is incomparable.

This is my very first John Glatt true-crime book and I didn't know what to expect. I don't like books that "jazz up" a situation or crime to create reader interest; as a retired attorney who did a fair amount of criminal defense, and read through far too much about evidence, I just want a fair, factual retelling of what happened. This is precisely what I was looking for, "[T]he facts ma'm, just the facts." A previous reviewer had stated that the book was dry, so I was on my guard. This book is NOT dry, it is well-written and easily (and quickly) read. I was impressed by Glatt's control of so many characters and his ability to relay who they were. I would've just added the year in some cases as toward the end, I wasn't quite sure if were in 2022 or still 2021.

The text starts with the long re-telling of the Murdaugh dynasty and their history in the Low Country of South Carolina. This is all very important as it sets an important basis for the power and corruption as well as the pyschology and entitlement of the family. There is a reason why the later generations behaved like spoiled children throughout their lives: Because they could. And notably in the text the author refers to why the original Big Red was kept in office as the top prosecutor for the district: to keep the staus quo. If you missed it, it was a reference to not only keeping the white social structure with certain families on top, but also to keep black people from gaining social status and power. This stratified and fossilized social caste system later on helped the current-day Alex Murdaugh steal entire personal injury settlements from poor whites and blacks. I didn't see any individuals in Murdaugh's social circle get swindled. It is true he borrowed from his brother and took from his family law firm but he also planned to pay them back ahead of everyone else!

This is practically a modern-day Southern Gothic; rich sociopaths party on with posts of their excessive spending flooding social media. Children are allowed not only to drink excessively but also to operate motorized vehicles, resulting in a death of a young woman. Extreme hunting is glorified with photos of "armloads of dead ducks" (Hello, DNR?). You look at people like that and shake your head. And in the end, the proverbial house of cards comes tumbling down, although it usually doesn't include the sociopath at the center murdering BOTH his wife and child.

This is an interesting and well-written book! Thank you John Glatt. I really enjoyed reading this, which is a bit unusual as I practiced criminal defense law and generally shy away from these topics. But the facts were well-presented. I would love to see an update chapter in the published version about the trial. I'm sure it would be well-reported.

A BIG thank you to St. Martin's Press, John Glatt, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an unpublished galley of this work. I received no compensation and my opinions are, as always, entirely my own.

A very good read. I knew a bit about this book before reading, but found it well written and interesting. I liked that it did not give away what happened during the trial (as it was written before). It was definitely worth the read.

A creditable examination of a dysfunctional family of alcoholic good old boys with power going back to running stills and cons and nepotism going back to the time of the civil war. Much of their wealth and power was tied to a dual law practice of being a criminal prosecutor with a side practice in civil/personal injury law. A boatload of financial hurt was inflicted when state law eventually changed to prohibiting such a dual practice. Power came from being a criminal prosecutor with the ability to dole out favors to friends in trouble, but money came from looting client accounts in their civil practice. Power was also nurtured through relationships tied to alcohol, fishing, and hunting. This book reprises much of the information about Alex Murdaugh and his family revealed in television shows and the televised trial. If you haven’t seen them, you likely be riveted at the level of graft and dysfunction described herein, and by the man who both murdered his family and destroyed his heritage in gobsmacking ways as inexorable as a train wreck.

Having watched the murder trial, the horrific case of Alex Murdaugh accused and found guilty of murdering h
his wife and son .Reading this well written book really gave me a background view of this family.A family with money ,education everything they could desire but something was not right reads like a crime novel but is sadly true.#netgalley Tangled Vines.#netgalley #st.martins

I read and follow quite a bit of true crime so I was pretty familiar with the Murdaugh case(s.) I could tell this book was very well researched and at the beginning of the book there's a large section about the family going back several generations. It was interesting to hear that there was a long history of corruption and getting away with all sorts of illegal activity. As for the current crimes, not much of that information was new to me so someone unfamiliar with this family would appreciate it more than I did. But this book would be great for any true crime fan, especially if you're new to this family's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Author John Glatt gives an excellent accounting of the history of the legal empire and crimes of the South Carolina low-country Murdough family. His accounts go back in time to the taking of money from families who were awarded sometimes big settlements in cases where their loved ones were hurt or wrongfully died. It is an ugly story of a family that used power and influence to not just cover up their crimes but to commit more, including murder. And that is just what we know. One wonders after reading of the many misdeeds that go back generations how much more sociopathic behavior existed in this family. A good book for those who like true crime. The deed are well told even though some are distasteful and hard to read. It is crime at its worst and no fiction tale could be as horrible as this story of the misdeeds of a powerful family. Thanks to #NetGalley#TangledVines for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I've followed the Murdaugh drama in the media and watched several documentaries. However, this book gave me more information than anything else I've read or watched. As always, John Glatt offers a true inside look at the Murdaugh family dynasty and how if was formed over 100 or so years and how it crumbled at the hands of one man.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book. I recommend it to fans of true crime and those interested in The Murdaugh Family murders. It was very informative. #tangledvines

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#read #stmartinspress #readmore #netgalleybooks #netgalley #truecrime #murdaugh #bookworms #booksbooksbooks #avidreader #crime #crimebooks #bookstagram #booklover #bookaddict

Being from the south (Alabama), I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this! I’m not even really a huge true crime fanatic, but this case has had me in a chokehold. Loved how well this was written.