Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders

by Rebecca "Becky" H. Hill, Ronda Rich (Foreword), Neil R. Gordon

"From beginning to end, here is the true story of the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial from a courthouse insider, who witnessed it all… and more!” –Nancy Grace, legal commentator and television journalist "This book is not only historically significant, it is well written and a treat. Pull up a comfortable chair and be prepared to stay there until the last page is read.” –Ronda Rich, bestselling author and syndicated columnist

"This inside view really gives the reader insight into what went into this 'Trial of the Century.' What a brilliantly written publication.” –The Walker Family

Becky Hill has been villainized by Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys in the press and they’ve made very serious allegations of jury tampering against Ms. Hill. Thousands of words in Behind the Doors of Justice are dedicated to the 18 men and women who served on the jury or who were alternates. Read what Becky said that’s caused such a stir. Just remember, just because a lawyer says it’s so, doesn’t mean it is!

A once prestigious lawyer on trial … raised in the Low Country of South Carolina, Hampton County.

A look at the Murdaugh Murders trial through the eyes of Rebecca “Becky” Hill, the Clerk of Court—with 40+ exclusive photos! She explains her extensive role that has caused such controversy—with amazing visitors and courtroom personnel she met along the way!

Rebecca “Becky” Hill had known the Murdaugh family for decades. Family members of Becky’s were involved in the moonshine conspiracy together in the 1950s where Buster Murdaugh was later indicted and then acquitted.

For years, Becky had known about the rumors of corruption and crime surrounding the Murdaugh family. These accusations came and went, nothing sticking long enough to bring clarity or a clear conviction. Becky had also known of good deeds done by the Murdaughs. She was there when Randolph Murdaugh received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor bestowed on a civilian by the Governor of South Carolina.

What she didn’t know was that Richard Alexander “Alex” Murdaugh was capable of murdering his own wife and son.
Serving as the Clerk of Court at the time of the trial, Becky Hill was present in the courtroom in the case of the State of South Carolina v. Richard Alexander Murdaugh trial … and beyond.

Join her on her journey as she visits the crime scene, shares heartfelt details about the Judge and people involved, navigates the massive media frenzy, delves into her own family’s history with the Murdaughs, and ultimately, reads the guilty verdicts on live television. The verdicts that would put Alex Murdaugh away for two life sentences with no possibility of parole.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

238 pages, Paperback

Published July 20, 2023

Reviews

[Tooter · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/2 Star. This book should have been classified as an autobiography.

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

NOTE: This review was written before the author was accused of jury tampering in an effort for Murdaugh's lawyers to get him a new trial. I think they are grasping at straws - but also think she was foolish to put this book out so soon.
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The book is advertised on the back cover as being about the court and the processes involved in the massive Murdaugh trial. And it was, to some degree. It ended up, however, being IMO self-serving and more about the author than the trial and the court. And, the usual downfall of books like this - There were a number of punctuation and grammatical errors that were not properly edited. The book reads like the rushed-out attempt to capitalize on the trial that it was, and it met its goal. It got my $21.

[Lucy Wright · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shame on you Becky! Four hours of an audiobook of you bragging about yourself, often in the third person. I’m surprised that you didn’t call yourself the Amazing Becky. Sadly, however, most of those things that you boasted about being so wonderful at doing were all things that a court clerk should not have been doing in the first place. So, I guess you single-handedly have opened the door to an entirely new trial. I’m sure the taxpayers of South Carolina are not thrilled.

And Becky, if someone asks you whose fault the new trial is, I hope that you please answer “yours truly.”

BOO BECKY!

If you’re not charged with jury tampering, I’ll be really shocked, but they should at least charge you for bad writing.

[Gary F · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t recall being so disappointed in a book in a long time. This basically consisted of generic information as well as the author continually complementing herself over the great job heart and her team did. She also shamelessly name dropped celebrities who suddenly became her close friends. Absolutely zero new information and in fact if you can get more information from simply reading a news article. So disappointing to miss an opportunity for a true insider story.

[Jennifer Whitten · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is more about the author than the trial. And more about her 15 minutes of fame and an attempt to capitalize on the tragedy of two lost lives. On top of that the book was not edited very well. Waste of time in my opinion.

[Donna Elmore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be more about the trial. I felt it was more about how this author wanted to share how wonderful she thought she was. Easy read. Glad I got it from the library.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. Kind of like a conversation between friends. Not as in-depth as I anticipated. No shocking truths told. But, I enjoyed it.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book from cover to cover to find out if there was any hint of impropriety on the part of author Becky HIll which has (according to Alex Murdaugh's defense attorneys) caused a need for a re-trial of Alex Murdaugh. I saw none/nada/zip!

I am a true crime follower & I gotta say if you watched the trial, you will learn little additional info about the trial from this book. IF however, you are a fan of personal experience with tidbits & trivia of what happened behind scenes of the trial from a Court Clerk's perspective you may be highly entertained! The author throws in a little bit of her and the then defendant's family history as well & there are some cool pictures to enjoy. It's just not my "cup of tea" for reading enjoyment.

[Kylie Munday-Fuller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I purchased this book believing it was a behind the scenes account of the trial however the majority of this book read more like an autobiography of Ms. Hill rather than about the trial. The aspects that covered the trial were interesting however the parts that more covered Ms. Hill felt self-promoting and in some cases felt defensive, like she needed to defend her actions in some things that I believe she knew were not appropriate for her job description. Overall its a quick read and does have some interesting parts but I wouldn't recommend buying this book but if you can get for free at a local library it might be interesting enough for you to check out.

[Madeline Carroll Surratt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Murdaugh Murders

I’ll give her the credit for making the effort and time to write this book.
It did feel “rushed”…. “ to be the first one to write the story”…
She was definitely involved in one of the biggest murder cases in history, so I understand her wanting to tell us all the unknown details and interesting facts

[Judy Hodges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Exactly What I Thought It Would Be

I respect Becky and her position as the Clerk of Court. But I also feel that this book is a way to get herself in front of the public as a celebrity. She thinks a lot of the television celebrities, such as Nancy Grace. That rock should never have been turned during the trial. I believe that Alex got a fair trial and deserved his sentence. The Clerk of Courts role should end at the commencement of his trial. I sincerely hope that that there is not a new trial due to this.

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm where to start. IMO this could have been a good book. The perspective of the author is unique. However, I think the timing wasn’t appropriate and at many times while reading, I got second hand embarrassment for the author.
Was this the trial of the century? No. Was it an extremely captivating trial? absolutely. I think this book should head back to editing and lace with more fact, less feeling.

[LeeAnn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mrs.Hill fancies herself the most important person in the room. To hear her tell it, she single-handedly was judge, prosecutor, defense and jury in the, her words “Trial of the Century”. With the recent allegations of jury tampering filed by the defense team it will be interesting to see how Mrs.Hill comes out. At the very least she should lose her job. Don’t waste your money on this one.

[Erika Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book itself was interesting and written from a perspective that you would not be able to get from anyone other than Becky Hill. However, it was hard for me to get past the grammatical errors. The chapters were all over the place and would jump from thought to thought, while repeating things that were already mentioned.

Overall, a good read. But needs a good structural/grammar edit IMHO.

[Lori Bravo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Becky is really impressed with herself

(Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) I found this book a bit redundant. I wouldn’t call it a “good read,” but read it I did. It was better than watching another 2 hours of YouTube true crime, but not worth the $10 I spent on the Kindle version. Disappointing.

[Barbara]

Can't rate this book either. Wish I could get my $9.99 back. It was 177 pages of text that read like a children's book with endless talk about god, then there is a lot of mentioning of people she met or who were in the courtroom like some retard she let sit in the front who had nothing to do with the case whatsoever, more talk about god, lots of talk about herself and what she did, basically boring as hell.
I will say that it was interesting to learn what a clerk of court does BUT this could have been explained in a very short article or on a facebook post it didn't need a book. There is nothing remarkable in this book nothing revolutionary or whatever the word is and it doesn't talk much about the case but a lot about god and Becky Hill.
The two authors must think their readers are stupid af because they write as if they are talking to children. Its like Becky Hill thinks she is Jessica Fletcher or something I don't know but she got a big ego. I think she wanted to write a book to talk about god and this was the only thing she thought would get someone to read the book because it had Murdaugh's name on it.
The last pages in the ebook version are facebook like pictures of her and people she knew or famous people at the trial. Not impressed.
I did learn that she intended to write the book before the trial was even over. She was thinking about it at the Mozel crime scene that everyone for whatever reason had to go see.
I hope Alex Murdaugh gets a new trial and that this time the crime scene photographs and post mortums get leaked I want to see them.
Nothing of any real value here the only thing I think that helps the defence's case for a new trial in the book is the opening which I highlighted but can't remember I had to slog through to the end just to get it done and over with. I wanted another book on my challenge list and this is for Capitol for the NonfictionNovember readathon.
This will put me in a slump.
What a bunch of backwoods, religious, nonsense. Just a complete waste of time all for the ego of some old lady who thinks she is more important than she is and wants to be an evangelical preacher which it would not surprise me at all if she did become a preacher.
Don't waste your money on it if you really want to read it see if your library has a copy or request they buy it or borrow it from a friend or wait for a price reduction it really isn't worth the money.

[RPauli · Rating 1 out of 5]

As Richard Alexander Murdaugh showed how one can manipulate knowledge of the court & law to exploit others for personal gain; Rebecca Hill does the same (by writing this book while she still holds a clerk of the court position).
->Why on Earth would an elected official of the court (a public servant) write a book like this?
->Why make a biased mockery of a legal position one’s been elected to?
->Why do it so soon after the court ruling?
->Why did she not wait until after she had retired or left this position?
->Do you see anyone in an elected office “spilling the beans” of the behind the scenes of their professional positions while they are still working in those positions?
->Why make a mockery of the court & the position she is still in like this?
->Why would somebody in a position like Rebecca Hill is, start writing about court cases while she still holds that office? Compounded on that: this soon after the trial?
If this is the line of work someone like this wants to be in; why not work for a gossip magazine or start a podcast in her basement? But to channel these tendencies into a court clerk position? What the literal ….?
I guess between Rebecca Hill & Alex Murdaugh, we see how the law works in the Low Down South. Maybe that’s the point she’s trying to make. Corruption is the rule of law in those parts.
This is going to completely destroy the position’s credibility (and what is law without credibility); it is a complete distraction to the whole legal system & process; and it makes a mockery of the law. If Rebecca Hill wants to be a gossip monger, she should start a podcast or write for People Magazine; not work in a professional legal setting. Richard Alexander Murdaugh shows us a glimpse of how the he used knowledge of the court and a legal office to exploit others for his own benefit; Rebecca Hill does the same.
You don’t write a book right after the court case; you give it complete due process & if you must exploit your public service position for personal gain and write a book; wait until you’ve retired your position. People really don’t think…

[Glenda Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner

Such an awesome read of such a tragedy. Written with compassion. This book helped to tie together so many of the loose ends in my head. I think we all see the Murdaughs as being bigger than life. They had so much and could live lives most could only dream about. This book helps answer many questions with allowing us a peek behind the doors of justice. Oh my, the details of just what it took to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. Mrs. Becky, God's timing when he allowed you to become Clerk of the Court, was perfect. He knew already the role you would play. He makes no mistakes. Thank you for handling your duties with such grace. I could reread again and will! A must read book for all who have followed this story from the front side of the doors of justice. Behind those same doors pulls this story together. Thanks to the authors for giving us a peek and a different perspective. Well done!

[Mike Bohning · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t buy this book after reading the reviews posted on this site.

I followed the trial and planned to purchase this book, but decided not to after hearing about all the Bible quotes and God chatter. Quoting the Bible really ruins one’s credibility and it’s a sign of poor journalism.

I read the Bible, yet I still can’t understand why God was killing everyone, but the Devil was painted as the bad guy? I wholeheartedly agree with Noam Chomsky when he said “the Bible is the most genocidal book ever written.” And it certainly is.

So when I see an author referencing the Bible as their source of inspiration it makes me want to run in the other direction.

In this case I simply selected a better book.

Thank you to all those who posted reviews on this book. I would have deeply regretted the purchase.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the defense team is looking to this book to appeal the murders, I'm not seeing it.

However, what I really enjoyed about the book was the insight as to what a Clerk of Court really does. I had not realized they had so many responsibilities. And in a small town court house, having to manage a trial of this magnitude had to be difficult. Plus how long they had to plan for this trial and all the threads which needed to be knitted together.

I also appreciated how she talks about her life-long knowledge of the Murdaugh family and how her relationship with them changed as the trial went on.

A quick, no-brainer read, but enjoyable to see what all goes into managing a court house, especially around a big trial.

[SCDeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read on trial of the century

The Murdaugh Trial consumed my free time for 6 weeks as did a couple or more podcasts on this family. I couldn’t wait to read Becky Hill’s book for several reasons, the 1st being how amazing she handled all the details of running this trial. The book answered a lot of questions even some I didn’t know to ask! There is not a wasted word & I had a hard time putting the book down. There were a few aha moments where I got to say “I knew it” but more where I said “oh wow!” Becky Hill’s writing style imparted big news in a close friends chatting kind of way which I loved. Very well done! I imagine there are more books to be written by Ms Hill.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of cool Lowcountry history & does give good visual of inside the courtroom, along with vivid details of the evidence, etc.
As someone who did not watch the trial on streaming services, I enjoyed what I learned about the trial.
I do think that this book being named the way it is, is not a clear depiction of where this book will take you. Sure there is detail of the case & trial & family but she shares more about her story so I think being a bit disappointed to read more about the authors life vs the trial is fair given the title made me think I was going to learn solely about the Murdaugh's.

[Lyndsie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is NOT a book about the Murdaugh trial. It’s a book about Becky Hill. A poorly written one at that.
If you followed the trial at all, this book had nothing new. If you want to read 196 pages of Becky bragging on herself, this book is for you.
It’s full of repetition, opinions and way too many exclamation points. Her self-publishing budget would’ve been better spent on hiring a good editor than in adding 40 (yes, 40) pages of photos at the end. Although an editor would’ve boiled this book down to about 75 pages, certainly not worth the $18.99 price tag.
Don’t waste your time or money on this, even though Becky needs it more than ever to pay for her defense attorneys.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to admit I was (am!) one of the many people who became absorbed with the Alec Murdaugh trial. This book really did not offer too much new that I hadn't already known by following the trial and the Netflix series. I listened to this via audible and I found the reader (who I believe was the author?) and the content too "sweet" for me. There was often much reference to prayerful times and perhaps that is something that might be from a southern viewpoint but which I found a bit excessive. I would have preferred more details of the trial than what I got.

[Amanda Moon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very quick read. Was hoping that there would be a little more in depth information regarding everything surrounding the Murdaugh trial but the information that pertained to the trial was already known especially if you were up to speed or watched the trial.

The information gained reading this book pertained to Becky and her family. I would have given the book more stars had it not been for the grammatical errors and how it jumped all around instead of flowing in a decent chronological order, which could have been done had a little more time gone into the book.

[Tammy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t Stop Reading!

I don’t generally read much. I purchased this book less that 24 hours ago and I’ve completed it! I watched the entire trial and if I had to drive to Atlanta I listened on my cell. It’s so refreshing to see true justice. I come from a police/fire/ems background and there is so much happening in our world now. This was a good story, well written and a great view of the ‘behind the scenes’ things that laypeople seldom know about.

[Jillian Honeycutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay.

Miss Hill seems like a genuine, caring person, who loves her job and is proud of it. I got this book because I was hoping for some "secret" intell from "behind the scenes of justice" and I think she missed her mark. She liked to talk about her friends, her experience, and the day to day of what happened. Nothing too much on the trial. And she likes to talk about her religion.

[Christy Agner · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the book

I like so many people followed the trial, so I was thrilled when I heard about this book. I enjoyed Becky’s perspective and the insight she gave. I even had a very close friend who attended the trial the first week. It was strange seeing her on TV. Thank you Becky and looking forward to your next book

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different view

I found this book interesting to read, gave a different perspective of the way the court room runs. This would be considered in my opinion, the after math of the trial. If your looking for more details on the trial , I would read this as a second book. It does reference the murder case, but not as if you were reading the trial.

[Jeanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned some things that I’d not heard before. I’m not sure that I don’t see it as a conflict of interest, however, for her to have written this book when she is in the public role that she is. To me, it would have been more professional for her to keep her personal opinions to herself, even after the trial was over.