Alex Murdaugh crime books to be released, including two by murder trial jury members

Even as the post-conviction case of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh is set to go before the South Carolina Supreme Court in hopes of a retrial, a second wave of books on the internationally known Murdaugh murder saga hits bookshelves, including chronicles from a Wall Street Journal reporter and two members of Murdaugh's jury.

Richard Alexander "Alex" Murdaugh, once a prominent attorney from a legacy law family in Hampton , was convicted in March 2023 in the June 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul. He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences, in addition to lengthy state and federal sentences on fraud convictions .

The shocking crimes and Murdaugh's fall from grace inspired a wave of podcasts, scripted movies and television series, documentaries, and an initial wave of books from journalists, historians, and true crime pundits.

Here are the latest literary efforts.

Wall Street Journal reporter writes 'definitive account' of Murdaugh case

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

On Aug. 20, Bauerlein and Ballantine Books, a Random House imprint, released "The Devil At His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty." A press release announcing the release called it "the definitive and gripping true account of Alex Murdaugh's violent downfall" and offered "an unparalleled account" of Murdaugh’s "villainous crimes and the corruption of his forefathers."

In addition to her trial coverage, which reportedly broke WSJ online readership records, Bauerlein spent months researching this story and interviewed more than 200 people.

The book title is inspired by a quote from Cormac McCarthy's dark and violent Western epic, "Blood Meridian," which is only fitting considering the violent and evil nature of the murders that took place at Moselle. Murdaugh's family members were shot and killed with high-powered weapons normally used for hunting large game.

In the release, Bauerlein says she goes deeper into the Murdaugh family history than ever before, emphasizing "just how powerful and evil the men of the family were, dominating their small isolated southern town while bankrupting its most vulnerable residents. Bauerlein exposes a villainous family dynasty that comes to a murderous conclusion. With masterful research and cinematic writing, Bauerlein expertly weaves together a propulsive narrative of the murder case that gripped the world."

The release adds that Bauerlein’s reporting includes shocking new details about the trial, the boat crash, the investigation, and the family history that will surprise even the most devoted Murdaugh case follower. Early critics and reviewers have already compared "The Devil At His Elbow " with "In Cold Blood," "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

Bauerlein is a national reporter for the WSJ who writes about small-town America and Southern politics, economics, and culture. She has covered the South her entire career, including 19 years at the Journal and four years at The State in Columbia, S.C. A graduate of Duke University, she lives in Raleigh, N.C., with her husband and their two children.

Two Murdaugh murder trial jurors set to release tell-all books

Two members of the original jury panel selected to hear the Murdaugh murder case have teamed up with co-authors. They will be releasing intriguing new books offering a unique, behind-the-scenes, inside perspective into the case that captivated America.

Juror 864, Amie Williams

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

Williams was the 12th juror selected for the Murdaugh murder trial and was one of the few jurors to appear on The Today Show to discuss the case.

In this memoir, Williams shares the "winding road of juror emotions" before, during, and after the trial and discusses "the one attorney who made a difference on the case" as well as her intense memories of the jury visit to Moselle during the final week of the trial.

Williams' up close and personal insights of Alex Murdaugh are "chilling," promise the book cover.

Juror 785

Juror 785, famously known as the "Egg Lady," is set to release her highly anticipated book, "Because Enough is Enough," exclusively on Amazon on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Juror 785, who was dismissed before the final deliberations, has yet to reveal her name or tell her whole story - until now.

In the book, ghostwritten by a co-author who goes by the pen name "Crime and Cask," the juror plans to unveil her real identity and discuss her unique experiences and personal outtakes.

A release states, "This gripping and personal account sheds light on her experiences during the Alex Murdaugh trial, offering readers an unprecedented glimpse into the jury room and the events that led to her controversial removal. "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 book an essential addition to the ongoing saga surrounding the case."

The release adds that with this book, Juror 785 "aims to share her truth and bring clarity to the events of her dismissal from the jury that have captured the nation's attention."

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

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Alex Murdaugh crime books to be released, including two by murder trial jury members