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The Family Man: Blood and Betrayal in the House of Murdaugh
An immersive account of a seemingly loving father’s transformation into family annihilator.
In March 2023, Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife and younger son at Moselle, their home in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. In The Family Man, James Lasdun takes a new angle on this story of corruption in high places, massive fraud, opioid abuse, fake suicides, suspicious accidents, and the generational recklessness of the wealthy legal dynasty at its center. The acclaimed novelist brings his long-standing interest in the darker drives of the human psyche to investigate the events leading up to the slaughter at Moselle, examining Murdaugh through original interviews with those involved in the case, transcripts of phone calls Murdaugh made from prison, the literature of criminal psychology, and the murder trial itself. Deeply researched, sharply written, and with the page-turning intensity of a Southern gothic novel, The Family Man constructs a masterful portrait of Murdaugh and the mind-boggling crimes that wreaked havoc on his community in the Lowcountry.
In March 2023, Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife and younger son at Moselle, their home in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. In The Family Man, James Lasdun takes a new angle on this story of corruption in high places, massive fraud, opioid abuse, fake suicides, suspicious accidents, and the generational recklessness of the wealthy legal dynasty at its center. The acclaimed novelist brings his long-standing interest in the darker drives of the human psyche to investigate the events leading up to the slaughter at Moselle, examining Murdaugh through original interviews with those involved in the case, transcripts of phone calls Murdaugh made from prison, the literature of criminal psychology, and the murder trial itself. Deeply researched, sharply written, and with the page-turning intensity of a Southern gothic novel, The Family Man constructs a masterful portrait of Murdaugh and the mind-boggling crimes that wreaked havoc on his community in the Lowcountry.
432 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2026
64 people are currently reading
6799 people want to read
About the author
James Lasdun
50 books144 followersJames Lasdun was born in London and now lives in upstate New York. He has published two novels as well as several collections of short stories and poetry. He has been long-listed for the Man Booker Prize and short-listed for the Los Angeles Times, T. S. Eliot, and Forward prizes in poetry; and he was the winner of the inaugural U.K./BBC Short Story Prize. His nonfiction has been published in Harper’s Magazine, Granta, and the London Review of Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Review of advance copy
Advanced Reading Copy from Book Browse
Having read "The Devil at his Elbow" by Valerie Bauerlain, I know the story line better than if I would have only followed the nationwide coverage of the trial of Alex Murdaugh for murdering his wife and son. The key to Murdaugh's conviction was being caught in several lies, and the author's use of the transcripts was excellent.
The book is well researched, although I got somewhat bored with the author's speculations and his dive into the psychology of a murderer which were often included in parenthesis (like this), and I found those distracting.
The author added some new materials and insights. He followed Alex Murdaugh to jail, and he had access to jailhouse communications. He also interviewed lots of people from the community to give the reader and understanding of the family dynamics. The book gives the reader a clear understanding of who Alex Murdaugh is, but one can still wonder whether he did what he was charged with doing: the murders.
The book is a novelist's take on the trial, while Bauerlain's book was a reporter's take on the same trial.
Do I think he was guilty? Yes, but I wonder if he didn't have an accomplice. Did he get what he deserved? For sure.
Having read "The Devil at his Elbow" by Valerie Bauerlain, I know the story line better than if I would have only followed the nationwide coverage of the trial of Alex Murdaugh for murdering his wife and son. The key to Murdaugh's conviction was being caught in several lies, and the author's use of the transcripts was excellent.
The book is well researched, although I got somewhat bored with the author's speculations and his dive into the psychology of a murderer which were often included in parenthesis (like this), and I found those distracting.
The author added some new materials and insights. He followed Alex Murdaugh to jail, and he had access to jailhouse communications. He also interviewed lots of people from the community to give the reader and understanding of the family dynamics. The book gives the reader a clear understanding of who Alex Murdaugh is, but one can still wonder whether he did what he was charged with doing: the murders.
The book is a novelist's take on the trial, while Bauerlain's book was a reporter's take on the same trial.
Do I think he was guilty? Yes, but I wonder if he didn't have an accomplice. Did he get what he deserved? For sure.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC for review. To be published May 5, 2026.
4 stars
Another Alex Murdaugh book, a sub/genre which is well in its way to needing its own shelf. I just can’t get enough of this Southern, horrible, entitled, Titian-headed murderer, and I have always been a bit obsessive about good true crime…I’m glad that I didn’t develop this fixation until after the trial was over or I might have been glued to Court TV each day (even though we don’t have it. Maybe I would have sold plasma to get it. We only have channels that show sports. Do people still sell plasma? Is that a thing? I don’t know that they would buy mine, me being damaged goods and all.) But I digress.
Lasdun (whom my spell check insists on calling “Aladdin,” so if he turns up, you’ll know) was actually covering the case for someone, maybe the “New Yorker,” so he had a chance to spend a fair amount of time in the Low Country and to get up close and personal with a number of the people involved (none of the family, of course.). He also didn’t hesitate to give his own opinions and theories which are interesting, though they sometimes color what he believes is worth following up on/paying attention to in this whole mess.
For example, Lasdun does not believe either of the Murdaugh sons was involved in the death of Stephen Smith. Other people are sure they were. But since Lasdun believes they were blameless, Smith’s story barely merits a mention here where other books have covered it at length, with the idea that it might offer some motive as to why Alex might kill Paul.
This fresh look at the many crimes of Alex Murdaugh (for there were many crimes, regardless of whether you believe he killed Maggie and Paul) brings to light new points, including transcripts of some of Alex’s calls from jail, which I have not seen reproduced elsewhere. I still think THE DEVIL AT HIS ELBOW by Valerie Bauerlain, a book noted by this author, is probably the best book on the subject, but this was very good.
4 stars
Another Alex Murdaugh book, a sub/genre which is well in its way to needing its own shelf. I just can’t get enough of this Southern, horrible, entitled, Titian-headed murderer, and I have always been a bit obsessive about good true crime…I’m glad that I didn’t develop this fixation until after the trial was over or I might have been glued to Court TV each day (even though we don’t have it. Maybe I would have sold plasma to get it. We only have channels that show sports. Do people still sell plasma? Is that a thing? I don’t know that they would buy mine, me being damaged goods and all.) But I digress.
Lasdun (whom my spell check insists on calling “Aladdin,” so if he turns up, you’ll know) was actually covering the case for someone, maybe the “New Yorker,” so he had a chance to spend a fair amount of time in the Low Country and to get up close and personal with a number of the people involved (none of the family, of course.). He also didn’t hesitate to give his own opinions and theories which are interesting, though they sometimes color what he believes is worth following up on/paying attention to in this whole mess.
For example, Lasdun does not believe either of the Murdaugh sons was involved in the death of Stephen Smith. Other people are sure they were. But since Lasdun believes they were blameless, Smith’s story barely merits a mention here where other books have covered it at length, with the idea that it might offer some motive as to why Alex might kill Paul.
This fresh look at the many crimes of Alex Murdaugh (for there were many crimes, regardless of whether you believe he killed Maggie and Paul) brings to light new points, including transcripts of some of Alex’s calls from jail, which I have not seen reproduced elsewhere. I still think THE DEVIL AT HIS ELBOW by Valerie Bauerlain, a book noted by this author, is probably the best book on the subject, but this was very good.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"The Family Man" is a true crime take on the infamous Murdaugh murders.
In 2023, Alex Murdaugh was convicted of the murder of his son and wife. The major facts of his case are well known--the power of his family line in South Carolina, the involvement of his son in a boat tragedy, his own involvement in drugs and embezzlement. What Lasdun--the beat writer for the New Yorker who covered this case--seems to be doing here is sorting through the evidence one last time, trying to wrestle with the impossible question: How can a seemingly loving man, even a man who is an addict and capable of stealing from people in desperate situations, murder his own family in cold-blood?
In "The Family Man," Lasdun takes apart the prosecution's case, pointing out discrepancies, and even offering his own theories to try to fill in gaps in the case. This is not a simple recap of the case; it's clear Lasdun is genuinely trying to critically analyze all of the evidence put forth. Grappling with the hardest question, why, he turns to psychological studies and criminal history to discuss potential models for people who kill their loved ones.
These are all good points and interesting ones. What is a bit of a struggle, though, is I'm not sure the book brought anything new to the table. The psychological theories mentioned are, for example, fairly obvious (or at least they seemed to me).
Why the rating? I go by the original GoodRead star system, in which 2 stars is just okay. The book didn't give me a lot of new information, but it was thoughtful, and I appreciated the critical eye the author brought to the prosecution's case. (Even though Murdaugh's culpability isn't in doubt, there were issues in the case that weren't sufficiently addressed in the prosecution's presentation.)
With gratitude to the publisher and Netgalley as well as Edelweiss for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
In 2023, Alex Murdaugh was convicted of the murder of his son and wife. The major facts of his case are well known--the power of his family line in South Carolina, the involvement of his son in a boat tragedy, his own involvement in drugs and embezzlement. What Lasdun--the beat writer for the New Yorker who covered this case--seems to be doing here is sorting through the evidence one last time, trying to wrestle with the impossible question: How can a seemingly loving man, even a man who is an addict and capable of stealing from people in desperate situations, murder his own family in cold-blood?
In "The Family Man," Lasdun takes apart the prosecution's case, pointing out discrepancies, and even offering his own theories to try to fill in gaps in the case. This is not a simple recap of the case; it's clear Lasdun is genuinely trying to critically analyze all of the evidence put forth. Grappling with the hardest question, why, he turns to psychological studies and criminal history to discuss potential models for people who kill their loved ones.
These are all good points and interesting ones. What is a bit of a struggle, though, is I'm not sure the book brought anything new to the table. The psychological theories mentioned are, for example, fairly obvious (or at least they seemed to me).
Why the rating? I go by the original GoodRead star system, in which 2 stars is just okay. The book didn't give me a lot of new information, but it was thoughtful, and I appreciated the critical eye the author brought to the prosecution's case. (Even though Murdaugh's culpability isn't in doubt, there were issues in the case that weren't sufficiently addressed in the prosecution's presentation.)
With gratitude to the publisher and Netgalley as well as Edelweiss for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
This is a review of an advance copy of the book, which I received from Bookbrowse.com.
THis is the third book I have read about the Murdaugh murders , the other two being Tangled Vines by John Glatt, a British investigative journalist and true crime author, and The Devil at His Elbow, by Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein. Both are pretty much straight investigative reporting, detailing the context of the murders, the investigation and the subsequent trial and conviction of Alec Murdaugh for the murder of his wife and youngest sun. James Lasdun, who is primarily a novelist, takes a slightly different, more personal approach. Tasked with writing an article on the murders for the New Yorker, he decided to conduct his own investigation of the investigation, to determine whether he personally would judge Alec Murdaugh guilty of the horrific crimes of which he stood accused.
Lasdun's research is extensive. Not only does he spend time in South Carolina, speaking to dozens of people who know Alec Murdaugh and tracking down the rumors about the murders in the community, he makes se of the information presented in media and in the other books I've referenced. HE also digs into scientific and medical research on psychopathy, with a focus on what sort of person would even commit such a heinous crime against members of his own family whom he professed to love. He does reach a conclusion, and the last chapters of the book detail his thoughts on the results of the trial and the scenario of the murder. I leave it to the reader to discover what he decides. I found Lasdun's storytelling engaging. He weaves a compelling tale from a very complex fact situation and and creates a book that's really hard to put down.
THis is the third book I have read about the Murdaugh murders , the other two being Tangled Vines by John Glatt, a British investigative journalist and true crime author, and The Devil at His Elbow, by Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein. Both are pretty much straight investigative reporting, detailing the context of the murders, the investigation and the subsequent trial and conviction of Alec Murdaugh for the murder of his wife and youngest sun. James Lasdun, who is primarily a novelist, takes a slightly different, more personal approach. Tasked with writing an article on the murders for the New Yorker, he decided to conduct his own investigation of the investigation, to determine whether he personally would judge Alec Murdaugh guilty of the horrific crimes of which he stood accused.
Lasdun's research is extensive. Not only does he spend time in South Carolina, speaking to dozens of people who know Alec Murdaugh and tracking down the rumors about the murders in the community, he makes se of the information presented in media and in the other books I've referenced. HE also digs into scientific and medical research on psychopathy, with a focus on what sort of person would even commit such a heinous crime against members of his own family whom he professed to love. He does reach a conclusion, and the last chapters of the book detail his thoughts on the results of the trial and the scenario of the murder. I leave it to the reader to discover what he decides. I found Lasdun's storytelling engaging. He weaves a compelling tale from a very complex fact situation and and creates a book that's really hard to put down.
Review of advance copy
I don’t read many true crime books but this one caught my eye since it occurred in an area of South Carolina that I’m familiar with plus I wanted to learn more about what would cause a seemingly happy family man to kill his wife and son. The author did a fantastic job with his research and laid the story out in a concise way. He also wrote about some of the inconsistencies that were published in the press and the rumors that were going on while the crime was being solved. Even though it’s still difficult to believe that someone could kill their wife and son (Paul), the author does an excellent job of explaining the mindset and problems that drove Alex to commit murder.
The author did extensive research for this book but for me the most important thing that he did was to interview many people who knew Alex – not only the people he worked with but family members and people in town who had known him his entire life. Along with the boat accident, he explained other deaths that may have been associated with the family and how they affected (or why they didn’t affect) the entire family. I have read several books about the murders but this is the first one that gives transcripts from phone calls that Alex made from prison after his conviction. The conversations gave a good look at his state of mind and his lack of remorse because despite the verdict, he always said that there was no way that he would kill his beloved wife and son.
This book is a well-done portrait of Alex Murdaugh and the horrific crimes that he was accused of. The writing is so well done and the research so extensive that it reads like a Southern murder novel.
The author did extensive research for this book but for me the most important thing that he did was to interview many people who knew Alex – not only the people he worked with but family members and people in town who had known him his entire life. Along with the boat accident, he explained other deaths that may have been associated with the family and how they affected (or why they didn’t affect) the entire family. I have read several books about the murders but this is the first one that gives transcripts from phone calls that Alex made from prison after his conviction. The conversations gave a good look at his state of mind and his lack of remorse because despite the verdict, he always said that there was no way that he would kill his beloved wife and son.
This book is a well-done portrait of Alex Murdaugh and the horrific crimes that he was accused of. The writing is so well done and the research so extensive that it reads like a Southern murder novel.
May 10, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My senior in high school came home one day and mentioned that in her law class, they had to pick a real-life murder case to examine. She mentioned the Murdaugh case, and while I had heard the name, I knew nothing about the happenings because I choose to stay away from most true crime cases. She mentioned a Netflix documentary, and I watched it so I could help her with her homework if needed. The Family Man recounts the case from beginning to today much like the documentary.
The book lays out the prosecution’s case against Alex Murdaugh, but this is not some cheering section for the state. The author points out several discrepancies in the prosecution’s case and theorizes where there are gaps in the case. The author, Lasdun, covered the case for the New Yorker, presents evidence and counter evidence, wrestling with what is known and what is speculation. This comes across as an even-measured look at the murder of Murdaugh’s son and wife.
I’m not quite sure why the Murdaugh case drew so much media attention. Maybe it was because an old, rich, white guy was the suspect. He seemingly had it all, only to discover that what was below the surface was much more shocking. The addictions, the embezzlement, and now the murder of loved ones.
While I found the audiobook interesting and enjoyed the voice of the narrator, I’m not sure how much new information was revealed in the book compared to watching the Netflix series or what was known to the general public, but it kept me interested and engaged.
My senior in high school came home one day and mentioned that in her law class, they had to pick a real-life murder case to examine. She mentioned the Murdaugh case, and while I had heard the name, I knew nothing about the happenings because I choose to stay away from most true crime cases. She mentioned a Netflix documentary, and I watched it so I could help her with her homework if needed. The Family Man recounts the case from beginning to today much like the documentary.
The book lays out the prosecution’s case against Alex Murdaugh, but this is not some cheering section for the state. The author points out several discrepancies in the prosecution’s case and theorizes where there are gaps in the case. The author, Lasdun, covered the case for the New Yorker, presents evidence and counter evidence, wrestling with what is known and what is speculation. This comes across as an even-measured look at the murder of Murdaugh’s son and wife.
I’m not quite sure why the Murdaugh case drew so much media attention. Maybe it was because an old, rich, white guy was the suspect. He seemingly had it all, only to discover that what was below the surface was much more shocking. The addictions, the embezzlement, and now the murder of loved ones.
While I found the audiobook interesting and enjoyed the voice of the narrator, I’m not sure how much new information was revealed in the book compared to watching the Netflix series or what was known to the general public, but it kept me interested and engaged.
Read
March 30, 2026I didn’t follow the Murdaugh trial nor did I watch any of the made for TV dramatizations of his family life and events leading to the murders. This book was my introduction to all this and it has made me want to learn more.
The author does a masterful job of attempting to explain Alex Murdaugh, but as even he finally notes, it’s not clear if anyone – even Alex himself – can truly understand what motivates him.
Did he really murder his wife and son? The jury convicted him – and relatively quickly. But was that because he is such a liar, fraud, and cheat that since he’s clearly a bad person and one can’t believe anything he says, that murder is not unbelievable and no one else seems to be a suspect? And maybe, as the author points out, the jury really didn’t like being taken in even temporarily by his good-ole-boy-hale-fellow-well-met-you-know-I-would-never-lie-to-you persona – when it became clear that he had lied to them about why he lied repeatedly to the police about not being at the kennel. After that, his I would never hurt my wife and son rang less and less true apparently.
The author also did an amazing amount of research trying to understand Alex – was he a psychopath (he certainly didn’t care about the people he hurt), an opioid addict (he was certainly that, but did that cause violent episodes), a “family annihilator” (someone who was so desperate to save them – and/or himself – from the shame about to come down on him over the fraud) or was he some portion of all three and even more besides?
This is a fascinating book and I highly recommend it.
The author does a masterful job of attempting to explain Alex Murdaugh, but as even he finally notes, it’s not clear if anyone – even Alex himself – can truly understand what motivates him.
Did he really murder his wife and son? The jury convicted him – and relatively quickly. But was that because he is such a liar, fraud, and cheat that since he’s clearly a bad person and one can’t believe anything he says, that murder is not unbelievable and no one else seems to be a suspect? And maybe, as the author points out, the jury really didn’t like being taken in even temporarily by his good-ole-boy-hale-fellow-well-met-you-know-I-would-never-lie-to-you persona – when it became clear that he had lied to them about why he lied repeatedly to the police about not being at the kennel. After that, his I would never hurt my wife and son rang less and less true apparently.
The author also did an amazing amount of research trying to understand Alex – was he a psychopath (he certainly didn’t care about the people he hurt), an opioid addict (he was certainly that, but did that cause violent episodes), a “family annihilator” (someone who was so desperate to save them – and/or himself – from the shame about to come down on him over the fraud) or was he some portion of all three and even more besides?
This is a fascinating book and I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy
I do not consider myself a true crime aficionado, but I am curious and able to appreciate a well-researched, structured account of the highly explosive murder and media coverage of Alex Murdaugh's trial. James Lasdun, a well-respective New Yorker columnist, provided me with just that in "The Family Man."
His immersive account of this, thought to be loving, father's coldblooded murder of his son and wife is fascinating and thought provoking. He offers a detailed and highly readable accounting of the events leading to and including thr highly media covered trial where Alex Murdaugh was found guilty. The author spent a great deal of time in South Carolina before, during and after the trial interviewing his friends, associates, enemies, and neighbors. He paints for his readers the disturbing life of Alex with its deceptions, embezzlements, and opioid addiction prior to these tragic murders. He provides his own thoughtful insights to the case. Was the jury verdict the right one? Could Murdaugh, despite his many faults, have been innocent? What kind of psychological games had he been playing, especially if one considers his history of money games and addiction?
I came away from this book feeling this author laid it all out there, Lasdun thoroughly goes over the facts in an unbiased manner. By presenting the known and also some unknown facts about this highly discussed trial, he presents to his readers one of the best books written about the Murdaugh case and the man behind it.
Shout Out to Book Browse for providing me with this intriguing read!
His immersive account of this, thought to be loving, father's coldblooded murder of his son and wife is fascinating and thought provoking. He offers a detailed and highly readable accounting of the events leading to and including thr highly media covered trial where Alex Murdaugh was found guilty. The author spent a great deal of time in South Carolina before, during and after the trial interviewing his friends, associates, enemies, and neighbors. He paints for his readers the disturbing life of Alex with its deceptions, embezzlements, and opioid addiction prior to these tragic murders. He provides his own thoughtful insights to the case. Was the jury verdict the right one? Could Murdaugh, despite his many faults, have been innocent? What kind of psychological games had he been playing, especially if one considers his history of money games and addiction?
I came away from this book feeling this author laid it all out there, Lasdun thoroughly goes over the facts in an unbiased manner. By presenting the known and also some unknown facts about this highly discussed trial, he presents to his readers one of the best books written about the Murdaugh case and the man behind it.
Shout Out to Book Browse for providing me with this intriguing read!
April 27, 2026
A thorough and engaging overview and analysis of the Murdaugh murder case, the context, the events, the court case, the verdict and all the questions and considerations around it. It also delves into some interesting speculations, theories and has interviews with different people involved, in the aftermath of the case. It has insights on the different terms thrown around in court, on comparative cases, on addiction and the plausibility of different stories, different explanations, different alibis, different people's responses to everything. It is detailed, it expands on everything, and it gives both the official narrative and those still circulating, the justification behind them all. It is well done, clearly laid out, every angle considered.
This is a brilliant example of how true crime should be done. Acknowledging personal opinions and doubts but accepting and laying out all evidence and facts, even those contradictory is personal feelings. All explanations are considered, the truth of what happened as far as we can know is laid out, speculations are addressed, analysed, and any evidence supporting them is acknowledged. There is a good mix of fact and speculation, of evidence and analysis, of direct quotes and faithful summaries. There are walk throughs of scenes, evocative imaginings, alongside clear witness statements, court testimonies and eventual verdicts.
An engaging, interesting and thorough overview of an awful case, one of murder, of embezzlement, of hurt, of endangerment, of pain, of a family destroyed.
This is a brilliant example of how true crime should be done. Acknowledging personal opinions and doubts but accepting and laying out all evidence and facts, even those contradictory is personal feelings. All explanations are considered, the truth of what happened as far as we can know is laid out, speculations are addressed, analysed, and any evidence supporting them is acknowledged. There is a good mix of fact and speculation, of evidence and analysis, of direct quotes and faithful summaries. There are walk throughs of scenes, evocative imaginings, alongside clear witness statements, court testimonies and eventual verdicts.
An engaging, interesting and thorough overview of an awful case, one of murder, of embezzlement, of hurt, of endangerment, of pain, of a family destroyed.
Review of advance copy
Advance Reader Copy from BookBrowse
I am not an avid reader or follower of true crime stories, but it surely comes as no surprise that the extensive media coverage of the bizarre complexities of the Murdaugh trial and the events leading to it caught my attention. James Lasdun, an author whose works I have not previously read, offers a detailed, lucid, and highly readable account of the many events leading up to and including the trial where Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.
James Lasdun, a New York City resident of British origin, spent much time in South Carolina’s Low Country before, throughout, and after the trial, speaking with Murdaugh's friends, adversaries, associates, neighbors, and others with any manner of connection to the Murdaugh family and painting vivid pictures of the life of Alex Murdaugh and his years of deception, embezzlement, and opioid addiction prior to his ultimate arrest for the murders of his wife and son.
The core story of perpetrator Murdaugh and his victims, leading up to and including his trial, is followed by Lasdun’s own thoughtful and again, well-researched insights into the many questions posed. Was the jury’s guilty verdict correct, or could Murdaugh, with all his faults, be innocent of the murders? Or given that Murdaugh was guilty, what psychological pressures and derangements could have been at play, not only concerning the murders, but equally regarding the stolen funds and his severe addiction? Was Murdaugh truly a “family annihilator?”
I thoroughly recommend “The Family Man.” Certainly to true crime aficionados, but also to the curious, who, like me, enjoy a thoroughly researched, well-written, and logically structured true account of a real-life topic, that Lasdun describes at one point as an “inkblot of murk.”
I am not an avid reader or follower of true crime stories, but it surely comes as no surprise that the extensive media coverage of the bizarre complexities of the Murdaugh trial and the events leading to it caught my attention. James Lasdun, an author whose works I have not previously read, offers a detailed, lucid, and highly readable account of the many events leading up to and including the trial where Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.
James Lasdun, a New York City resident of British origin, spent much time in South Carolina’s Low Country before, throughout, and after the trial, speaking with Murdaugh's friends, adversaries, associates, neighbors, and others with any manner of connection to the Murdaugh family and painting vivid pictures of the life of Alex Murdaugh and his years of deception, embezzlement, and opioid addiction prior to his ultimate arrest for the murders of his wife and son.
The core story of perpetrator Murdaugh and his victims, leading up to and including his trial, is followed by Lasdun’s own thoughtful and again, well-researched insights into the many questions posed. Was the jury’s guilty verdict correct, or could Murdaugh, with all his faults, be innocent of the murders? Or given that Murdaugh was guilty, what psychological pressures and derangements could have been at play, not only concerning the murders, but equally regarding the stolen funds and his severe addiction? Was Murdaugh truly a “family annihilator?”
I thoroughly recommend “The Family Man.” Certainly to true crime aficionados, but also to the curious, who, like me, enjoy a thoroughly researched, well-written, and logically structured true account of a real-life topic, that Lasdun describes at one point as an “inkblot of murk.”
May 8, 2026
Audiobook review
This book was a refreshing take on the Murdaugh saga that has been exhaustively written about. I was pleasantly surprised by new information and angles that were explored in this book. I loved that the narration of this book sounded as if the narrator was just having a conversation with the reader. I liked that every possible scenario for the boat crash and murders was explored. It was an interesting take that the author had a hard time believing that Alec could have killed son. The term “family annihilator” was used. I hadn’t heard this term before, but feel it’s an accurate way to describe the way this man took out his family and destroyed his legacy. I like that the book cast doubt on who committed the crimes rather than automatically just painting the picture through bias and assumptions. The author also explores possible psychological reasons for the way Alec acted and the idea that the perfect storm of events converged upon Alec those last weeks prior to the murders that could have sent him over the edge. The book was written in a very respectful way considering such a sensitive topic. I feel that the audiobook adds quite a lot to this story and it makes it feel more personal. A must read/listen for any true crime love or anyone who followed this case as it unfolded! *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
This book was a refreshing take on the Murdaugh saga that has been exhaustively written about. I was pleasantly surprised by new information and angles that were explored in this book. I loved that the narration of this book sounded as if the narrator was just having a conversation with the reader. I liked that every possible scenario for the boat crash and murders was explored. It was an interesting take that the author had a hard time believing that Alec could have killed son. The term “family annihilator” was used. I hadn’t heard this term before, but feel it’s an accurate way to describe the way this man took out his family and destroyed his legacy. I like that the book cast doubt on who committed the crimes rather than automatically just painting the picture through bias and assumptions. The author also explores possible psychological reasons for the way Alec acted and the idea that the perfect storm of events converged upon Alec those last weeks prior to the murders that could have sent him over the edge. The book was written in a very respectful way considering such a sensitive topic. I feel that the audiobook adds quite a lot to this story and it makes it feel more personal. A must read/listen for any true crime love or anyone who followed this case as it unfolded! *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
May 5, 2026
I live in coastal South Carolina, not too far from where these events occurred. The Murdaugh case has been thoroughly covered by local TV news and social media. I have watched the documentaries and the trial. I thought I knew everything. I was wrong. The Family Man, by journalist James Lasdun, grew from a detailed New Yorker article and shows thorough research. It is almost impossible to understand how Alex Murdaugh, a man born to such wealth and privilege, could shoot his wife and son in cold blood as he looked in their faces. Ladsun details the generations of powerful Murdaugh men who flaunted rules, cheated friends and put themselves above the laws that they swore to obey. Alex was the result of this long line of criminal behavior. Considering him to be a sociopath, Ladsun gives a psychological profile of Alex and compares him to other “family annihilators” making his horrific crime plausible because others under pressure have done the same thing. He also makes an intriguing connection between Alex and Paul’s personality changing behavior while under the influence of substance abuse.
The Murdaugh case is complex, multilayered and familiar to millions of Americans. The Family Man not only presents new theories, it reads like fiction. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, W. W. Norton & Company and James Lasdun for this ARC.
The Murdaugh case is complex, multilayered and familiar to millions of Americans. The Family Man not only presents new theories, it reads like fiction. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, W. W. Norton & Company and James Lasdun for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My interest in the Murdaugh case comes from the same place as it has for many others: the schadenfreude of an almost farcical real life Southern Gothic tale of generational trauma and privilege all crumbling down. It also quickly became obscenely byzantine to keep track of as a casual observer. Not interested in delving into sensational coverage of an event that needed no added drama, I was happy to find a relatively straightforward reporting of the events that was both informative and provided a lot of useful context in Lasdun’s The Family Man.
On a side note, reading this also served a bit of a personal cathartic experience: a few years ago, I found myself opening up the news to find a photo of man I used to date who had become a ‘family annihilator’, killing his wife, two small children, and himself. I am still reeling from this horrific crime only tangentially connected to me, so reading the summary of the various proposed types of this kind of criminal behavior was especially interesting to me.
My one quibble of note is that, at times, the extensive use of transcripts bogged down the flow.
Thank you to Netgalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an ARC of this book for review.
On a side note, reading this also served a bit of a personal cathartic experience: a few years ago, I found myself opening up the news to find a photo of man I used to date who had become a ‘family annihilator’, killing his wife, two small children, and himself. I am still reeling from this horrific crime only tangentially connected to me, so reading the summary of the various proposed types of this kind of criminal behavior was especially interesting to me.
My one quibble of note is that, at times, the extensive use of transcripts bogged down the flow.
Thank you to Netgalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an ARC of this book for review.
May 7, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and James Lasdun for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy.
"An immersive account of a seemingly loving father’s transformation into family annihilator."
In March 2023, Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife and younger son at Moselle, their home in South Carolina in June 7, 2021. Being from North Carolina this was all over the news and social media for years. However, even though a huge true crime fan, I never really paid too much attention to it. However when I saw this book available on NetGalley I requested it so I could get all of the information.
Unfortunately I feel like there was too much information. I have read a lot of true crime and that sometimes is an issue. It got to the point when I found myself losing focus due to the information being shared not that interesting or necessary to the story.
Who Would I Recommend This To: Those who enjoy True Crime with a lot of information.
Audio Book Notes: The narrator was fine.
Overall: I honestly think this could have been much shorter.
"An immersive account of a seemingly loving father’s transformation into family annihilator."
In March 2023, Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife and younger son at Moselle, their home in South Carolina in June 7, 2021. Being from North Carolina this was all over the news and social media for years. However, even though a huge true crime fan, I never really paid too much attention to it. However when I saw this book available on NetGalley I requested it so I could get all of the information.
Unfortunately I feel like there was too much information. I have read a lot of true crime and that sometimes is an issue. It got to the point when I found myself losing focus due to the information being shared not that interesting or necessary to the story.
Who Would I Recommend This To: Those who enjoy True Crime with a lot of information.
Audio Book Notes: The narrator was fine.
Overall: I honestly think this could have been much shorter.
April 25, 2026
A thoroughly researched look at a highly visible true crime case.
A thank you is due to NetGalley and the publishers for the audio ARC of this one.
I found the writing to be very easy to follow And the narrator easy to understand. The author was very thorough with background And evidence And seemed to be reasoned in his approach to the evidence. When he did reach a conclusion about the evidence, he presented it in a way that made me question the relevance of it in the big picture of the trial. That is exactly what I am looking for in a true crime book. Conclusions were never force fed to me, which happens a lot in these types of books.
Ultimately, this was an excellent book. My satisfaction rating And engagement took a hit just because of the dearth of coverage about the Murdaughs And this case. While that is unfortunate, it is certainly not the authors fault. I highly recommend this one for any fan of true crime And believe this is an important book for anyone following this case. 4 stars.
A thank you is due to NetGalley and the publishers for the audio ARC of this one.
I found the writing to be very easy to follow And the narrator easy to understand. The author was very thorough with background And evidence And seemed to be reasoned in his approach to the evidence. When he did reach a conclusion about the evidence, he presented it in a way that made me question the relevance of it in the big picture of the trial. That is exactly what I am looking for in a true crime book. Conclusions were never force fed to me, which happens a lot in these types of books.
Ultimately, this was an excellent book. My satisfaction rating And engagement took a hit just because of the dearth of coverage about the Murdaughs And this case. While that is unfortunate, it is certainly not the authors fault. I highly recommend this one for any fan of true crime And believe this is an important book for anyone following this case. 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
James Lasdun’s The Family Man is an in-depth examination of the Alex Murdaugh murders of his wife and son, and the events that preceded and followed them.
As someone who has followed every podcast and documentary on these murders, I was surprised by how much I still had to learn. Lasdun avoids the sensationalism often found in this genre, choosing instead to dive into the complex psychological and social factors behind the crimes. The flow of the writing is seamless, and every word mattered to the overall story.
The narrator has a gift for keeping the listener’s attention through dense details, making the complex topics feel accessible rather than overwhelming. The distinct energy the narrator brings to the prose really elevated the experience for me.
I highly recommend this to anyone who thinks they already know everything about the Murdaugh case, or anyone looking for a single source on the subject.
Thank you Netgalley, James Lasdun, and Dreamscape Media for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As someone who has followed every podcast and documentary on these murders, I was surprised by how much I still had to learn. Lasdun avoids the sensationalism often found in this genre, choosing instead to dive into the complex psychological and social factors behind the crimes. The flow of the writing is seamless, and every word mattered to the overall story.
The narrator has a gift for keeping the listener’s attention through dense details, making the complex topics feel accessible rather than overwhelming. The distinct energy the narrator brings to the prose really elevated the experience for me.
I highly recommend this to anyone who thinks they already know everything about the Murdaugh case, or anyone looking for a single source on the subject.
Thank you Netgalley, James Lasdun, and Dreamscape Media for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"The Family Man" is full of unexpected surprises and enticing takeaways, despite covering a story that feels like there's nothing left to say. Lasdun looks at the family annihilator, Alex Murdaugh, through the lens of someone not steeped in American culture. These fresh, but foreign, eyes are able to see some subtler truths that those closer to the culture may miss about language and tone that carry really heft in trying to answer that elusive question of, "Why?". In a time when the True Crime genre seems oversaturated with "takes", Lasdun manages to add to the canon, while potentially providing some answers about why a man would kill his wife and child, rob his neighbors, and walk through his community so brazenly after the fact.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Murdaugh case was insanely complex even for someone like me who is into true crime and followed it every step of the way. This book did an impressive job of thoroughly and accurately covering everything that happened from start to finish. Even I got more understanding from it than I ever have before. There’s no useless fluff. This book gets to meat of everything and goes over the facts and truly feels unbiased. Respectfully covering the known and discussing the unknown, this is in my opinion the best book about the Murdaugh case and the man behind it all. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An excellent true crime account of the Murdaugh family murders. Even though I’ve watched numerous documentaries on the case, the book still offers many details I hadn’t encountered before. It begins with the family’s history, tracing their rise and eventual downfall, which provides valuable context. The narrative includes a strong balance of courtroom details and recorded jail calls, all presented at a pace that keeps the reader engaged. The author’s personal exploration of lingering, unanswered questions adds a fresh and compelling perspective to the case.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have been obsessed the Murdaugh train wreck for years now. I have watched, read, and listened to many different authors take on the situations that the Murdaugh's appear to be involved in. I did find this book to be refreshing as the author tries to share the information in a non-bias format, giving scenarios and theories showing both guilty and innocents. He shares a lot of back information that I had never come across before including personal interactions. I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you Netgalley, James Lasdun, and Dreamscape Media for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you Netgalley, James Lasdun, and Dreamscape Media for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 5, 2026
This book is an immersive account of the murder of Alex Murdaugh’s wife and son at their home in South Carolina. He was found guilty in March 2023 and later would be found guilty of embezzling millions from his clients and his firm.
Very well written and well narrated book (I listened to the audiobook). Completing, well paced narrative into this man who never admitted guilt for the shootings but would later admit to embezzlement. He blamed his drug addiction for these crimes. The son was soon to be in court in relation to a fatal boat crash.
Great research and presentation of details of these cases.
Very well written and well narrated book (I listened to the audiobook). Completing, well paced narrative into this man who never admitted guilt for the shootings but would later admit to embezzlement. He blamed his drug addiction for these crimes. The son was soon to be in court in relation to a fatal boat crash.
Great research and presentation of details of these cases.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Family Man follows the Murdaugh case. This case is a wild ride to say the least. I have watched documentaries and listened to podcasts about this case and feel that this book did such an amazing job and covering the details is such a clear and concise way. It was very accurate and well written. If you enjoy true crime, you must check this one out! Thank you, James Lasdun, W.W. Norton & Company, and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 10, 2026
Alec Murdaugh was a respective member of the South Carolina community, until a 911 call comes in one night. Alec’s wife and son are dead on their own property. As Alec life starts to unravel, all his secrets come out. Including opioid abuse, fraud, faking suicide, and other suspicious accidents.
I did like this book because I find this case interesting. But I feel like I learned nothing new from the book that I didn’t already know.
I did like this book because I find this case interesting. But I feel like I learned nothing new from the book that I didn’t already know.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I dont listen to much true crime and with that being said this was a good book to listen to. The Author was very through in his research and it make you want to keep listen and try to understand why Alex Murdaugh, a family man, would want to kill his wife and son.
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape media for the Audio ARC to review
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape media for the Audio ARC to review
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I found this book interesting, although rather dry reading, which is to be expected. There are a lot of moving parts to follow. I had to keep reminding myself this was all true because it's hard to imagine from my spot in the world these things are actually happening and people actually live like that. An eye opener for sure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went in already knowing the story, so I appreciated that this wasn’t just a straightforward retelling of events. Lasdun’s own investigation—and his willingness to share his perspective on what happened and who bears responsibility—adds depth and keeps it engaging.
Read
May 2, 2026Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book. I even bought the hardcover of this book. I was obsessed with this case, and watched the trial every day. Listening to this brought me right back to yelling at the TV.
May 11, 2026
3.75 rating! I don't think I learned anything new from reading this book about the case but it was interesting listening to this from a reporter's POV. The facts are still that Maudaugh may or may not have committed the murders but did cheat his clients out of millions of dollars.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Absolutely chilling.
Up to 5% of our population are sociopaths. Beware of those hiding in plain sight. They are ruthless and without shame, and as in this case, they can be deceptively friendly.
Up to 5% of our population are sociopaths. Beware of those hiding in plain sight. They are ruthless and without shame, and as in this case, they can be deceptively friendly.
Want to Read
April 12, 2026NYT Article, "26 Nonfiction Books We’re Excited About This Spring," 2026
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