Crime novels by Alex Murdaugh are published, including two by jurors in murder trials

As the case of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh moves forward before the South Carolina Supreme Court in hopes of a retrial, a second wave of books about the internationally known Murdaugh murder saga is hitting bookstores, including chronicles by a Wall Street Journal reporter and two members of Murdaugh's grand jury.

Richard Alexander “Alex” Murdaugh, once a prominent attorney from a long-established Hampton law family, was convicted in March 2023 of the murders of his wife Maggie and younger son Paul in June 2021. He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences, as well as lengthy state and federal prison sentences for fraud.

The shocking crimes and Murdaugh’s fall from grace inspired a wave of podcasts, screenplays and television series, Documentaries and a first wave of books by journalists, historians and crime experts.

Here are the latest literary efforts.

Wall Street Journal reporter writes “definitive report” on Murdaugh case

Veteran WSJ reporter Valerie Bauerlein covered Murdaugh's six-week double murder trial in Walterboro every day and was the only print journalist selected by court lottery to visit the crime scene at Moselle, Murdaugh's estate.

On August 20, Bauerlein and Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, published The Devil At His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty. A press release announcing the release called the book “the definitive and gripping true account of Alex Murdaugh's violent downfall” and described it as “an unprecedented account” of Murdaugh's “villainous crimes and the corruption of his ancestors.”

In addition to her coverage of the trial, which reportedly broke WSJ's online readership records, Bauerlein spent months researching the story and interviewing more than 200 people.

The book's title is inspired by a quote from Cormac McCarthy's dark and brutal western epic Blood Meridian, which is only fitting given the violent and evil nature of the Moselle murders. Murdaugh's family members were shot with high-powered weapons normally used for big game hunting.

In the press release, Bauerlein says she delved deeper into the Murdaugh family story than ever before, emphasizing “how powerful and evil the men in the family were, who ruled their small, remote Southern town while bankrupting its weakest residents. Bauerlein exposes a villainous family dynasty that comes to a murderous end. With masterful research and a cinematic script, Bauerlein skillfully weaves a gripping narrative of the murder case that gripped the world.”

The press release goes on to say that Bauerlein's reporting contains shocking new details about the trial, the boating accident, the investigation and the family history that will surprise even the most dedicated Murdaugh case follower. Early critics and reviewers have already compared “The Devil At His Elbow” to” with “In Cold Blood” and “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”.

Bauerlein is a national reporter for the WSJ who covers small-town America and the politics, economics and culture of the South. She has covered the South throughout her career, including 19 years at the magazine and four years at The State in Columbia, SC. ​​She is a graduate of Duke University and lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and two children.

Two jurors in Murdaugh murder trial want to publish exposé books

Two members of the original jury selected in the Murdaugh murder case have teamed up with co-authors to publish thrilling new books that offer a unique behind-the-scenes look at the case that captivated America.

Juror 864, Amie Williams

Juror Amie Williams has teamed up with South Carolina author and true-crime aficionado Shana Hirsch to write her memoir, “The Long Road to Justice: Unraveling Alex Murdaugh's Tangled Web,” tentatively scheduled for publication in November (Palmetto Publishing).

Williams was the twelfth juror selected for Murdaugh's murder trial and one of the few jurors to appear on the Today Show to discuss the case.

In this memoir, Williams describes the “winding path of the jury's emotions” before, during and after the trial, and talks about “the one lawyer who made the difference in this case” as well as her vivid memories of visiting the jury in Moselle during the final week of the trial.

Williams' direct and personal insights into the personality of Alex Murdaugh are “shattering,” promises the book cover.

Juror 785

Juror 785, known as the “Egg Lady,” will release her highly anticipated book, “Because Enough is Enough,” exclusively on Amazon on Tuesday, August 27. Juror 785, who was dismissed before final deliberations, has not revealed her name or told her full story — until now.

In the book, which was ghostwritten by a co-author with the pseudonym “Crime and Cask,” the juror wants to reveal her true identity and talk about her unique experiences and personal experiences.

A press release states: “This gripping and personal account sheds light on her experiences during the trial of Alex Murdaugh, offering readers an unprecedented insight into the jury room and the events that led to her controversial dismissal. Because Enough is Enough promises to be a must-read for true crime enthusiasts, legal scholars, and anyone captivated by the twists and turns of the Murdaugh saga. Juror 785's candid storytelling and commitment to transparency make this tell-all an indispensable addition to the ongoing saga surrounding the case.”

The press release goes on to say that with this book, Juror 785 wants to “share her truth and bring clarity to the events surrounding her dismissal from the jury that have captured the nation's attention.”

Crime and Cask is also the author of another book about the Murdaugh trial, “Defending Alex Murdaugh.“

This article originally appeared in the Augusta Chronicle: Wall Street Journal reporter and two jurors write crime novels about Alex Murdaugh