The Devil at His Elbow | Valerie Bauerlein

The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty

Accolades & Praise

• Instant New York Times Bestseller.
• "The definitive account of the Murdaugh murders. Forget the podcasts, the TV specials, and the documentaries—this is the version of the story you’ll want to read." —John Carreyrou, Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author of Bad Blood

Extended Synopsis

The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty by veteran Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein is the definitive investigative account of one of the most shocking legal and criminal downfalls in modern American history. For generations, the Murdaugh family wielded unchecked power across the South Carolina Lowcountry, controlling legal, political, and social institutions while concealing decades of corruption, cover-ups, and criminal activity.

Alex Murdaugh moved through life as a benevolent dictator—head of the state trial lawyers' association, a part-time prosecutor, and a partner in his family's historic law firm. However, behind the veneer of southern privilege, wealth, and influence lay a fragile web of deceit. When Murdaugh murdered his wife, Maggie, and his son Paul on a dark night at Moselle, their 1,700-acre hunting estate, the empire finally shattered.

Bauerlein delivers a masterclass in true crime reporting, drawing on daily courthouse coverage, deep archival research, and extensive boots-on-the-ground reporting throughout the backroads and tidal marshes of South Carolina. The Devil at His Elbow unwinds the complex psychology, systemic corruption, and crucial missteps that brought down a hundred-year dynasty, presenting a haunting and cinematic portrait of power, privilege, and justice.

About the Author

Valerie Bauerlein is an award-winning reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has covered the American South for more than two decades. Recognized as a leading authority on the Murdaugh family and trial, her investigative journalism focuses on southern politics, economics, and culture.

Reader Targeting

• True crime readers and investigative journalism enthusiasts looking for deep, definitive case analysis.
• Fans of legal thrillers, court reporting, and books by authors like John Carreyrou and Patrick Radden Keefe.
• Readers interested in Southern history, political dynasties, and systemic legal corruption.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Devil at His Elbow about?
The book is an in-depth investigation into Alex Murdaugh, the double murders of his wife and son, and the unraveling of a century-old South Carolina legal dynasty.

Who is the author?
It is written by Valerie Bauerlein, an award-winning reporter for The Wall Street Journal who covered the Murdaugh trial extensively on location.

Does this book cover the full trial and history of the family?
Yes, it details the history of the Murdaugh family's rise to power, the night of the murders, the investigation, and the high-profile court trial.