Reviews for The Devil At His Elbow
by Valerie Bauerlein
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
In 2019, a tragic boat accident in the South Carolina low country killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach. The ensuing fight for justice for Mallory would unearth a world of secrets, unleash a string of horrific violence, and tear down a generations-old tradition of abusing power. The crimes of fourth-generation South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh are now infamous. This book is a comprehensive journalistic account, nearly 500 pages of what happened and when throughout Murdaugh's convoluted downfall. Readers are given a sweeping account of the early Murdaugh lore and the family's staggering power within the justice system. Bauerlein's reporting is meticulously detailed and easy to follow, which is especially important as Murdaugh's story grows more and more complex, from the mysterious deaths of Stephen Smith and Gloria Satterfield to the boat crash to the 2021 murders of Alex's wife Maggie and their son Paul, all the way to the sensational trial that held a Murdaugh man accountable for the first time. With care and fortitude, Bauerlein's account continues to shine light on deception.
