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The Book of Murder: A Prosecutor's Journey Through Love and Death

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Examining murder from an insider’s perspective, Matt Murphy—a former senior deputy district attorney and current ABC News Legal Analyst—discusses cases from his career, how they strained his personal life, and how he found peace seeking justice for victims and their families.


Part taxonomy of murder, part prosecutor’s handbook, and part personal memoir, The Book of Murder goes through a dozen cases and his recollections of his twenty-six years in the Orange County DA’s office (seventeen in the Homicide Unit). Refreshingly honest about the toll such work takes on one’s private life, Murphy weaves his personal narrative throughout his casework in a way that humanizes the people entrusted with the duty of seeking justice on behalf of the public. As he does so, he lays bare the decision-making a prosecutor goes through in building a case to ensure justice is met while telling captivating tale after captivating tale of the world’s worst crime.

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Published September 17, 2024

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Matt Murphy

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5 stars
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245 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
Profile Image for Holly Jolene.
45 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2024
I loved this book!! One thing that will stick with me is the dedication, as it gave me chills. It was dedicated to all the victims of violent crime.

I have followed Matt Murphy for years since seeing him on crime shows such as 20/20. In those interviews, as well as this book, he has such an engaging, immersive way to tell a story.

This book is perfect for any true crime lovers, or anyone interested in how cases get handled throughout the legal process.
Profile Image for Laura.
857 reviews210 followers
August 6, 2025
This insider's look at some of the most bizarre crimes during his seventeen years of service honors the victims while managing to educate and inform the public. It's not an easy read. Chock full of details and written in long chapters. I enjoy his current cases commentary segments live on NewsNation during the evening shows.
Profile Image for Cari.
Author 21 books189 followers
May 12, 2024
I was SO compelled by this book. Law and forensic investigation are two of my most favorite topics, and Murphy has a ton of experience with high-profile cases. As horrible as it is that these cases even exist, Murphy's ability to bring criminals to justice is fascinating, and with his strong and clear voice, he is a master storyteller. There's also the vulnerability of his decisions and regrets as he threw his life into his profession. A must-read for anyone who has access to ARCs right now, and if you don't, preorder or place your library hold!!
Profile Image for Kristy.
1,428 reviews181 followers
June 4, 2025
When I was in high school, I happened to see part of a court case tried by Murphy. It struck me even then how passionate and invested he was as a prosecutor. When I saw he’d written a book about his time in the homicide unit, I knew I’d want to read it. I enjoyed how Murphy primarily focused on the cases but also gave us snippets of his personal life as it made him more relatable.

There are plenty of fascinating, sad, and interesting cases and trials discussed here, some I knew a little of and others that were new to me. I liked learning more about the prosecutorial process and found the writing engrossing. A great read for any true crime reader.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mo.
263 reviews163 followers
October 13, 2024
‘Examining murder from an insider’s perspective, Matt Murphy—a former senior deputy district attorney and current ABC News Legal Analyst—discusses cases from his career, how they strained his personal life, and how he found peace seeking justice for victims and their families.’

I love TC just as much as the next junkie. And while I expected this to be an interesting read when I made the request on NG, I never expected it to have claws. But boyyyy….did it have claws!!
And when I began, those claws sunk deep. So deep that I. Could. Not. Put. This. Down.
I read the whole thing today.

Matt Murphy, what a fantastic & talented storyteller he turned out to be!

If you are a diehard TC fan, you do NOT want to pass on this one! Even if you’re not a TC nut, you should definitely tuck in to this book anyway!

I swear, I hit up Google like every hour, trying to put faces to the victims, the hero’s and perpetrators alike. I was in some kinda twilight zone; invested, involved & impossible to deter.

This was an intense & all-consuming read & I absolutely recommend!🙌🏼

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Pub date: 8.17.24
Profile Image for Randi Bailey.
352 reviews22 followers
September 23, 2024
“This book contains detailed descriptions of bad people murdering (mostly) good ones.”

Matt Murphy is a former deputy district attorney who shares some of the most memorable cases from his twenty six year career. The cases are harrowing, disturbing, and just plain terrifying. Being from California and having a criminal Justice background I stay on top of crimes in my area and have read about a lot of frightening cases nearby but some of these were right in my backyard and I had no idea, which was terrifying! 😳

I googled most of the cases discussed and most of these will weigh heavily on my mind forever. I even broke down crying when I read about the monstrous Dating Game Killer. He was just that, a monster, who preyed on young women. We’ll never know how many he killed because the bastard died in prison in 2021.

This book isn’t for the faint of heart. If you dislike blood, guts, and body dismemberment I would recommend that you skip this one. For those of us that are true crime obsessed, please read so I can talk to you about these bizarre cases.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
57 reviews23 followers
August 15, 2024
I really loved this book and can't wait for my friends who are into true crime get the chance to read it. I am that stereotypical true crime fan that loves books, podcasts and documentaries on all things related to the morbid curiosity. While some of the stories in this book were familiar to me, the insight provided by Matt Murphy made them new again and once more fascinating. The personal anecdotes and bits of wisdom shared by the author made this truly a great read and I cannot recommend it enough.
Profile Image for Marnie.
537 reviews47 followers
June 10, 2024

Fans of true crime podcasts or shows like Law & Order are going to be fascinated by this behind the scenes account of a former California homicide prosecutor.

“Tragedies happen, murders are committed.”

Matt Murphy argues that justice is apolitical and prosecutors are the good guys and only serve justice not politics. I wish that was the case and it may have been but not anymore. But I digress.

This book chronicles some of the cases this prosecutor handled during his time in office. Some may be familiar like the Skylar DeLeon case about the murder of an elderly couple on a yacht, but all are interesting.

Matt Murphy writes compellingly about the personal costs associated with seeking justice-for the victims, their families and all that have to clean up after evil strikes.

I think Matt Murphy has the technical skills that if he chooses to could translate into the legal thriller genre. He has the authority and crispness that make him exceedingly readable.
This was a great first book. I hope he continues writing

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue Publishing for the advanced copy.
Profile Image for Rachel Croce.
123 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2024
Unsurprisingly, Murphy is articulate and subtly humorous. Shedding light on the genuine care for humanity and drive for justice, he leads readers in and out of his personal life and commitment to his career. We have so many books about murder, but what Murphy does is explain the drive to find the “why". He provides insight into an investigative world, revealing the many layers and relationships that hold such a career in its place.

The overall book has elements of memoir, but what it lacked, for me, was completeness. The personal story on lost love and relationship challenges felt incomplete.

I was also compelled to understand how he copes with all of the trauma. Murphy poses himself as a compassionate person, easily drawn to empathy (especially for those more vulnerable). He reveals his connection to water and surfing as a place in which he can recharge and perhaps reface the heaviness of his work. But, as a reader, I was left wondering; Is he still having nightmares? What does he do after witnessing family members fall apart when details of a loss become revealed? How has he dealt with the trauma in his own childhood? How does he cope with the ongoing exposure to lack of safety and continual grief in the world? What else does he do when emotionally wounded, besides shut himself off and dive deeper into his work?

I think the end section of the book could have been better tied to the beginning, in a way that pulled it together and answered some of these questions.
Profile Image for Allison.
168 reviews16 followers
August 11, 2024
Rounded up from 4.75.

I received an ARC from giveaways here on Goodreads.

I very much enjoyed this book as I have a true crime streak that has to be fed from time to time.

My major irk (major for me anyways) was the Introduction was 20 pages long. While I completely understand with following chapters that all of the info in said introduction was necessary for understanding if you’re completely new to the subject of law and crime, there were at least two points in it I thought I would turn the page to find the next chapter and it was not the case. It took me longer to get through it to enjoy the rest of the book than normal for me.

Once passing the intro, while following chapters were the same length of 20 pages or sometimes longer, those flew by with the intrigue and curiosity of the best of true crime documentaries with minimal reenactment scenes.

I really did love this book overall and would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in true crime, law and hey, maybe a little bit of life. Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Lisa.
164 reviews
January 5, 2025
3.5 stars. Fascinating cases, written about in thorough detail. Something about the writing didn’t land with me; it felt too straightforward and lacking in depth at times, while still interspersed with a glibness that didn’t match the seriousness of the subject matter. A good read, though. So interesting to read the details on how these criminals were not only caught but prosecuted, and also interesting to know how much a good prosecutor has to do from the moment of the crime on a criminal case.
Profile Image for Kim.
104 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2025
Some of these cases were very interesting, especially Daniel Wozinak. Also learned a few things that I didn't know about Rodney Alcala. But I didn't need to hear so much about Matt Murphy's love life. He's dedicated to his job, nothing wrong with that.
Profile Image for Kelsey Myhrman.
140 reviews
March 27, 2025
Knew some of the cases he talked about which was fun! Also interesting hearing from his POV as a prosecutor. Parts that were part graphic/visual even listening to it which made my stomach weak.
Profile Image for Caryn.
1,070 reviews75 followers
December 22, 2024
I heard Matt Murphy interviewed on Armchair Expert and I knew right away I’d want to read his book. He does such a good job of explaining the law in a way that a layman would understand, all the while sharing some behind the scenes of actual homicide cases he prosecuted. The only reason I rated this 4 stars instead of 5 was because the book repeated a lot of what he shared on the podcast and I would have loved to read it with fresh eyes and ears. This is a must read for any true crime fan.
12 reviews
March 18, 2025
I love true crime and knew a lot of these cases! It was interesting to get an “insider” perspective.
Profile Image for Ceeceereads.
1,024 reviews57 followers
August 25, 2024
The Book of Murder, a most excellent true crime read. A prosecutor takes us on a journey through the court rooms of California and into the minds of the cold blooded killers he faced throughout his career in homicide.

His narrative was strong, no nonsense and to-the-point. Nothing was said that didn’t need to be said yet I could feel the intensity, drive and passion through his words. I found it gripping to journey back through his life, visiting the most heinous and memorable cases he prosecuted.

Some of the cases I already knew about such as murder on the boat, having just read a book on the case. Yet I found it gripping to read about the case from the prosecutor’s perspective, someone who actually worked closely on the case. This book was about bringing justice to the families and the depth of work that goes on behind the scenes to make that come to fruition.

Highly recommend. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.
Profile Image for Tamisha.
218 reviews18 followers
August 6, 2024
Matt Murphy is an excellent writer! I felt like I was watching true crime documentaries as I read this book.
I remember watching the 20/20 episode about the Hawks, so it was so cool to read about that from the prosecutors point of view.
True Crime has always fascinated me, and when I was a young tot I thought I wanted to be in law enforcement so I could chase the bad guys.
What a true sacrifice Matt made in his personal life to be an incredible prosecutor and help put murders behind bars for these victims and their families.
If you like true crime, READ THIS BOOK!!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Profile Image for Jamele (BookswithJams).
2,047 reviews93 followers
November 15, 2024
Thank you to @TLCBookTours and @hyperionavebooks for the #gifted copy to review.

Today I am sharing The Book of Murder by Matt Murphy as part of @tlcbooktours and I really enjoyed this one. I listened via audio and once I started it, I could not stop. Matt is a former senior deputy district attorney and he draws upon that experience in this book, going through select cases, the impacts on his personal life, and explaining concepts such as what really is the definition of murder? I devoured this one and was blown away by the impacts he had during his career, and how being relentless in his pursuit worked well for him in almost all situations. Some of the cases in here you will recognize, like Rodney Alcala, and that was beyond fascinating to listen to. Murphy has a way of telling stories that hold your attention, and his passion for victims and their families comes through in this book. If you are a fan of true crime or want to know more about how the legal process / forensic investigation process works, you must read this book.
Profile Image for Morgan Applebee.
65 reviews
December 7, 2024
This is the sort of book that you can't unread. It felt like a level-up version of the safety tips my mom used to teach me as a child -- "never get into a car when it's parked next to a van" -- except this time, it's from the perspective of a former district attorney.

I tend to dislike most audiobooks, but this one, which is narrated by the author himself, feels more like a podcast.

I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-placed, non-fiction book, and who is willing to lose a couple nights sleep over it.
Profile Image for Brian Tooley.
365 reviews
June 8, 2025
I gave this book 4 stars only because some of the chapters felt longer than it needed to be. I live in the IE and I loved reading about cases that I followed in my local news.
Profile Image for Mark.
1,613 reviews138 followers
June 17, 2025
Matt Murphy is a former senior deputy district attorney. He uses this memoir to discuss the more sensational cases he dealt with in the 26 years that he held that position. He details the horrors and triumphs of his work and it makes for an excellent read. This is a Must Read for true-crime fans but you might want to leave a night-light on for the first few nights. 4.5 stars
Profile Image for Ellen.
1,051 reviews176 followers
October 19, 2024
The Book of Murder: A Prosecutor's Journey Through Love and Death (hardcover) by Matt Murphy.

This was a change of direction in one way but in keeping with my usual genre in another. This was Matt Murphy's journey in life as a top notch prosecutor and now as a writer. His accounts of specific criminal defendants he prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law was excellently written. These paths were by no means easily followed for Matt and his teams to get in holding these criminals accountable for their heinous deeds.
This was a new step for me in reading a non-fiction book of murder committed against the most vulnerable. To understand Matt's outstanding record as a prosecutor brings new faith in our justice system. One thing is for sure-when the going got tough-Matt never gave up.
Most highly recommended. Thanks to Elizabeth Vargas on NewsNation for having Matt on her show which brought his book to my attention.
Profile Image for Robb DeNyse.
41 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2024
If you're a true crime fan, you need to read this book! Murphy has such a unique perspective and he's had such a long, successful career working as a prosecutor and Senior Deputy District Attorney from Orange County, CA. He discusses some high profile cases he's been involved with and it's a crazy journey into that dark world!
90 reviews
September 20, 2024
This book was very well written, informative, interesting and do good. A must read for any true crime lover.
Profile Image for Kathy Burns.
225 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2025
Outstanding. I was familiar with some of the cases Murphy writes about. But that didn’t matter. His writing is engaging. Books like these are why true crime is so fascinating to me. Mr. Rogers said we should look for the helpers. Murphy and the people who helped him find justice for so many over the years are the helpers. And their stories should be told and celebrated. In a world of absolute depravity, we need them.
Profile Image for Whitney Lavaux.
37 reviews3 followers
February 9, 2025
4.75 rounded up!

This book had me hooked from the first page. Matt Murphy’s examples of the two cowboys illustrating the different ways homicides can be categorized and the special circumstances involved was amazing. I’ve always struggled to grasp the differences between the charges, but those explanations made it super clear and were incredibly helpful.

The idea of transferred intent was another clarity moment for me. I’ve heard about cases like that before, but no one has ever broke it down in a way that I could actually understand it. Matt Murphy is really good at making complex legal ideas understandable to those of us without a law degree or court experience. Which I’m guessing was incredibly helpful to him as a prosecutor when talking to the jury.

One of the most interesting parts to me was his section on why “no body” cases can sometimes be easier to convict. I’ve always assumed these were the toughest for prosecutors. But he explained how they can introduce character witnesses throughout the trial to “prove” the victim’s death, something you can’t do in standard murder trials. This allows the prosecutors to paint a powerful picture of the victim and emphasizes the need for justice in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. I would never have thought of it that way before.

Some of the cases also really highlighted the quick thinking a prosecutor needs, which I’m jealous of because that is not the way my brain works. For example, in the “yacht sale” case, when the murderer’s mom tried to make him seem more sympathetic by testifying to his tough childhood and when he almost drowned, Matt Murphy turned it around and basically asked, “So he knew how it felt and he STILL did this to other people?” How powerful is that?

The only thing I wish he had had discussed was double jeopardy. He mentioned how many prosecutors wont file cases unless they’re certain of they can win because of ego. And how he was willing to take on the harder cases, saying, “fuck it, let’s file.” But I kind of think there’s another side to ego there. What if the case isn’t strong enough and you lose? You just lost that victim’s chance for justice by trying to be the hero because you can’t try them a second time, right?

Overall, though, I learned a ton from this book and am highly impressed by the number of high-profile cases Matt Murphy handled throughout his career. It’s a really interesting book, and he’s a really impressive human.
27 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2025
Matt Murphy demands interest. His perfect track record in court putting away psychopathic predators juxtaposed with his surfer boy stature and smile make him without question “the good guy” we love to root for in superhero movies and who dun it dramas. His credentials speak for themselves, but this book gives us an exclusive window into his mindset, and therefore greatness. We read the relentless attention to detail that makes the difference between a prosecutor catching the villain, and not. We read the commitment to the craft and cause above all else that resulted in professional excellence, but a thwarted personal life. You feel immense gratefulness and fascination towards the determination of Matt, who tells you there was no other way to be excellent in the pursuit of justice than to dedicate one’s life. A glimpse into the mind of the greats - in whatever discipline - will always be fascinating and teach you something. A glimpse into the mind a great prosecutor who is only motivated by goodness and justice for victims and their families, during a time when true crime has never been more en vogue, is tantalizing.
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