Best rendition written about this case. It was thoroughly researched to give the most knowledge about the Murdaugh case. Komodo’s on the writing style also. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

Alex Murdaugh wasn’t the first of his line to cheat, steal, lie and do very shady things. But hopefully, he is the last.

This trial was full of lies, shocking admissions, and I’m not sure I believe most of what this man said.

As someone whose family lives in Hampton still, this book is very well researched and written. It left most of us saying, Finally! How an entire town can be cowed by one crime family is not as difficult as one would think. This is the good ol boy network at its finest.

The author has done a really good job of sorting out truth from fiction.

NetGalley/ RHPG August 20, 2024

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy. I loved the writing style and the way the information flowed. It's amazing how much this family got away with for so long. Good true crime read.

This book was the first documentary that I have ever read that I couldn't put down! It read like a legal thriller but knowing it is all true made it a powerful story of power gone wrong. This author did her research and it shows in the meticulously documented citations and endnotes. I will definitely be watching for more from her!

As soon as the news broke about Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, I knew it was going to be a big story. I had no idea it was going to turn into a crime that exposed crime after crime after crime…. I listened to podcasts and read books…this is a sad and crazy case where we finally see the good old boys face accountability. I enjoyed this book about the Murdaugh fall from grace.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for an advanced copy.

Oh, yes. Thank you. I’ve been waiting to get my hot little hands on this one, I’m a big fan of well done true crime and this the the post-trial story of that ENORMOUS piece of human excrement Alex Murdaugh (after reading this book I must go look for video to see how he pronounces his own name because, of course, he does that like a dick as well, apparently.). This was written by the correspondent from the “Wall Street Journal” who covered the case. Here we go!

There’s a saying in the South (maybe everywhere, but I come from the South) that there are some people who just need killin’. And I’m against capital punishment and all, but some people….some people are just mad dogs. They can’t be redeemed. There’s something too, too wrong with them that can’t be made right (they are less likely to be on death row and more likely to be in a corporate boardroom somewhere, but I digress.).

Alex Murdaugh is one of those people. But, honestly? I believe Paul was too. And probably Alex’s grandfather, Buster Murdaugh. Jury’s still out on Alex’s son, Buster, but Paul definitely killed one person and likely killed two. Unless Buster, Jr. killed the other one. And regardless of which of them struck the killing blow the might have been in on in together. This is the Murdaugh family, the pride of the Low Country.

But you can’t blame the residents of the Murdaugh domain for being wary of crossing them. I don’t know that I would have done it. The Murdaughs and the law firm Alex was a member of controlled everything over a five county area. Everything. And when you control that, everyone in the state will listen to what you have to say.

Honestly, convicting Alex of murder was probably never a sure thing, and likely only happened because the jury saw a chance to be free of the Murdaugh curse and because Alex Murdaugh had stolen all the money from his firm such that his partners were forced to renounce him and all that evidence came in. Had the trial been limited to the murders and only the murders Alex would likely be a free man today.

The book is well done, following the Murdaugh family line from great-grandfather down. The author was with the jury when they visited the family home, Moselle, during the trial, and that is interesting. I would be so interested to read a current interview with Alex now.

Very well done. If you are interested, this is the book to read.

Valerie Bauerlein’s "The Devil at His Elbow" is a riveting and meticulously researched exploration of power, corruption, and downfall. Through the lens of the notorious Alex Murdaugh case, Bauerlein masterfully unravels a chilling narrative that grips readers from start to finish.

Bauerlein delves into the life of Alex Murdaugh, a man who once wielded immense influence and commanded both respect and fear across South Carolina. Her portrayal of Murdaugh’s complex persona—benevolent dictator, political boss, and part-time prosecutor—provides a fascinating insight into a man whose facade of respectability hid dark secrets.

The book meticulously chronicles the unraveling of Murdaugh’s world following the brutal murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, at the family’s hunting estate, Moselle. Bauerlein’s investigative prowess shines through as she pieces together the layers of deceit and crime that the Murdaugh family tried to conceal for generations. From the hidden scandals of Murdaugh’s ancestors to Alex’s own desperate attempts to maintain his reputation, Bauerlein’s narrative is both comprehensive and captivating.

Bauerlein’s writing is cinematic, transporting readers to the haunting landscapes of South Carolina’s Lowcountry and the tense atmosphere of the courtroom. Her ability to capture the essence of the places and people involved in the case adds a rich, immersive quality to the book. The journey through the investigation and trial is presented with stunning insights and a fearless pursuit of truth, uncovering aspects of the Murdaugh murder case that have remained untold until now.

"The Devil at His Elbow" is a masterful blend of true crime and investigative journalism, offering a compelling look at a case that captivated millions. Bauerlein’s dedication to uncovering the truth and her skillful storytelling make this book an essential read for anyone interested in the complexities of power, betrayal, and justice. This is a gripping and unforgettable account that will leave readers pondering long after they turn the final page.

This is the third book I've read on Alec Murdaugh and the best. It reads like a book written by a reporter who does not insert themselves into the story. It seems to have been well-researched, edited, and proofread. It was easy to read, and easy to follow the story threads.

So many victims over so many years.

I read an advance reader copy of The Devil at His Elbow from Netgalley.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. I have been a true crime fan for a long time and I have actually read several titles, but none quite as extensive and well-written as this one. I thought this was so incredibly well done. As the reader, you feel yourself in the Lowcountry - almost living among these people and engrained in their lives. I wouldn't want to spoil anything for anyone, but this is a must read for fans of the genre.

"The Devil at His Elbow" is a true crime recounting of the Murdaugh murders. In it, author Bauerlein takes a fairly straightforward approach to the story: telling us about the Murdaugh family history, Alex Murdaugh (and his sons') problematic behavior before the murders, and then the trial itself.

What's good: The narrative here is clear and it's apparent the author did her research, complete with interviews of many subjects involved. Hearing from the Beach family lawyer, for example, and the story of his anxiety over whether he'd accidentally contributed to the murders by pushing Alex to open his financials for the Beach family brought a new and interesting frame to this case.

What's iffier: The arc of the book seems fairly simple and straightforward. If you've watched the trial, you'll feel like you already lived through the majority of this book--I don't see a lot of new discussion here of prosecutorial (or defense) choices, for example. (Or intel over what exactly the defense team was thinking when Murdaugh took the stand and bombed so famously.)

With gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review an ARC of this title.

This reads like the best OMG-FICTION but it's all true. If you are like me and followed these cases and the trial, you will learn new things and "inside baseball" details that you didn't know about. For those of you that have kind of heard of this case but don't know much...buckle up. The truth is stranger and wilder than fiction and this is the proof. Dying to talk to someone about this and can't wait for the world to read this one. Thanks to the publisher. I hung on every single word.

I’ve read a couple of true crime novels on the Murdaugh’s but none have covered it as well as this. THIS is the book I would recommend if you are looking to dive into the Murdaugh mess.

During his trial, Alex said on the stand “Oh, what a tangled web we weave” and Valerie untangled that web to perfection with her timeline. She touches on generations of Murdaugh men, enough to get a picture of the corruption but doesn’t dwell there. We’re mostly focused on Alex and his crimes and downfall. I also appreciated how the author focused on the facts and not town hearsay like other books and documentaries have done. She seems to stick to court records and interviews, the research is impressive.

Just as impressive is her storytelling. She painted a picture with her descriptions of not only the low country but the accidents in question. Several times I could visualize the camera surveillance or interviews from what she wrote.

This is the truest account I’ve come across so far and couldn’t recommend enough.

"Alex Murdaugh had inherited his forebears' power and prowess and then squandered it, the work of a hundred years washed away in blood."

This whole case, from start to finish, is the very definition of "Life is stranger than fiction." And the Murdaugh family, or better yet their legacy is the definition of betrayal, wickedness, greed. Alex squandered nothing. He merely put bricks atop an already built wall of them that was destined to crumble.

Superb writing. Well researched. Well organized. An excellent account of the most vile, despicable human beings to ever rot on this Earth.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the in depth look into Alex Murdaugh and showing how truly evil this man is.

The author does a great job of going into the history of this family, making it easy to follow and interesting as well. I have watched a few documentaries on Alex Murdaugh and learned more in this book than what I did from those documentaries. This was one of the best true crime books I have read

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Ah, the piece of trash that is Alex Murdaugh. If you are unfamiliar with this poor excuse for a human, then allow me to compliment you on the mighty fine rock you have been able to live under because this case was everywhere for a while. His story was reported on daily and there was already (rushed) documentaries and books on the saga of him murdering his wife and son. I've watched nearly all of them, so the question is whether or not Valerie Bauerlein's The Devil at His Elbow is the definitive source for the whole story. Quite simply, yes.

Bauerlein was on hand for almost all, if not all, of Murdaugh's trial and has done amazing work pulling together all the little details in this tangled web. It's not enough to just talk about Alex Murdaugh. He did not come out of nowhere. He was part of a dynasty that ruled part of South Carolina for 100 years. You know those movies where someone gets jammed up in a small town where the villain seems to control everyone? That was Hampton County, South Carolina for a very long time and Alex wasn't the first villain.

Bauerlein's research is impeccable, but her storytelling chops are what I really need to highlight. Valerie Bauerlein had me going and she got me good. As I mentioned, I know a lot about the case already so the first half before you get to the murders felt like well-trodden ground for me. In fact, I caught myself thinking, "Ok, Valerie, you are stating too many unnecessary facts. Get on with it." Except they weren't unnecessary and like a magician, Bauerlein makes it all come together when the state prosecutor rips Murdaugh in half on the witness stand. I'd like to take a moment to humbly apologize to Bauerlein for being impatient. That's my bad. Won't happen again.

If you know the case, there is more to it and it's all in here. If you don't know the case, then you are in for a ride. It's a must read for everyone.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgally and Random House.)

This is about Alex Murdaugh and his family. They had very expensive tastes, lived in a mansion and had plenty of expensive toys. Paul, Alex's son, was quite uncontrollable, often drunk, but his father had many influential people in his pocket, so charges were usually dropped.....until someone died on his boat
A very true account of this scheming man and his family.
I thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well researched and well told story of the Murdaugh saga. Best of the Murdaugh books so far. Well researched and well told story of the Murdaugh saga. Best of the Murdaugh books so far.

MUST READ!!! 5/5 Stars!

This book is amazing. Anyone that watched the Murdaugh Trial live or any live coverage this book is so good. The Author covered this case for years on the ground in South Carolina and attended every day of trial, along with the jury view at Moselle. It was cool to see the coverage from a journalist who was there every step of the way and in person at the trial. There are interesting things written throughout this book that haven't been reported on TV and its a must read for all true crime fans.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC!!

Alex Murdaugh’s words during his trial, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave," really resonated with me as I read this captivating book. Murdaugh's ability to spin endless lies was truly astonishing! This quote perfectly captures the complex dynamics surrounding Murdaugh and his esteemed family of well-known lawyers in South Carolina, portrayed in "The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty."

The book dives deep into the lives of four generations of the Murdaughs, revealing the sharp contrast between their public image of southern hospitality and their involvement in scandals ranging from embezzlement to murder. Author Valerie Bauerlein expertly guides us through this tangled history, vividly illustrating how the family's privilege fueled their wrongdoing, ultimately leading to their dramatic downfall. This gripping account offers a chilling look into the depths of human depravity and the crumbling of a once-prominent legacy.

While I couldn't watch the trial live every day, I diligently kept up with the daily recaps, which helped me fully appreciate the gripping chapters focusing on the trial. Prosecutor Creighton Waters fearlessly unearthed the truth and exposed Murdaugh's arrogance, deftly cornering him as he contradicted himself time and again while on the stand. As I read, especially the chapters on the trial, I found myself going back and re-watching these parts on YouTube. Re-watching those parts after reading Bauerlein’s words brought a whole different level to things for me. Bauerlein took readers through the complex connections between privilege, internal conflicts, and corruption, shedding light on the family's tragic collapse.

As someone who closely followed the Murdaughs after the devastating murders of Maggie and Paul, I found this book to offer the most comprehensive coverage, evoking both fascination and deep sorrow for the victims of Murdaugh's deceit and manipulation. Throughout the book, there is a common theme surrounding Paul Murdaugh and how out of control he truly was. It’s sad how Alex Murdaugh and Maggie Murdaugh openly allowed him to drink while underage. If not for their negligence, Mallory Beach would still be alive today.

A big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Valerie Bauerlein for the chance to read this advanced copy. I thoroughly enjoyed it & I wholeheartedly recommend it.

This book was incredible. I have been following this case from the beginning. I am so happy to have found a book that detailed the entire history of this family - from the late 1800s until present day, spanning four generations. Four generations of deceit and trauma all in one book.

This is the true story of the Murdaugh family, a long line of prominent lawyers making their mark in small town South Carolina. In the public eye they were well-known good ol boys. Their southern hospitality was known all over the county. They would give you the shirt off their back, some said. But behind closed doors they harbored deep, dark secrets. Each decade and each generation had their own scandals including embezzlement, money laundering, suspicious deaths, outright murder, and fraud. This family got away with so much until it all came crashing down.

From the great grandfather to Alex Murdaugh and his sons, it was fascinating to see the timeline of their downfall. There is so much death and trauma surrounding this family. It could have been overwhelming with the amount of information packed into this book, but the author detailed the timeline in a way that made sense. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.