Blood on Their Hands

Murder, Corruption, and the Fall of the Murdaugh Dynasty

By: Mandy Matney

Narrated by: Mandy Matney

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

The highly anticipated inside look at the collapse of the Murdaugh dynasty by the celebrated investigative journalist and creator of the #1 hit Murdaugh Murders Podcast, Mandy Matney.

Years before the name Alex Murdaugh was splashed across every major media outlet in America, local South Carolina journalist Mandy Matney had an instinct that something wasn’t right in the Lowcountry. The powerful Murdaugh dynasty had dominated rural South Carolina for generations. No one dared to cross them.

When Mandy and her reporting partner Liz Farrell looked closer at a fatal boat crash involving the storied family’s teenage son Paul, they began to uncover a web of mysteries surrounding the deaths of the Murdaughs’ long-time housekeeper and a young man found slain years earlier on a backcountry road. Just as their investigations were unfolding, the brutal double murder of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh rocketed Alex Murdaugh onto the international stage.

From the newsroom to the courtroom, to the kitchen-table studio where Mandy recorded her #1 Murdaugh Murders Podcast, Blood on Their Hands is a propulsive true crime saga, an empathetic work of investigative journalism, and an excoriation of the “good old boy” systems that enabled a network of criminals.

©2023 Mandy Matney (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

It’s about the author first, the murders second.

This book is well written, but it’s not about the murders. It’s about the author. It’s the reporter’s memoir about the investigative journalism into the murders that made her career, not the murders themselves…at least not much in comparison. All of that is the stage against which is set a trove of psychologically overwrought and somewhat woke first person account of the toll the author endured while writing the stories that made her famous. It would be (and probably) is a great basis for a film treatment with the author/journalist as the heroine. If you are looking for a deep dive into the murders and other crimes, this book will be disappointing.

Disappointed

I have been a fan of Mandy and her team since the outset of her reporting and podcasting. I was excited to read/listen to this book in order to obtain a deeper more intricate understanding of the Murdaugh dynasty and greater understanding of the criminal background and history, leading to the culmination of his murder trial. However, I was disappointed that there was no new information provided, and seemed to focus more on Mandy’s personal life and background rather than diving deep into her investigation of the Murdaugh criminal dynasty and providing more detail that was not covered in any of her podcasts.

Investigative Journalism at its Best

Great read about getting to the truth and shining a bright light on the criminal activities of Alex Murdaugh and those who assisted him. Love that the author shares her journey in personal growth along the way. Well-written, engaging and inspiring.

Masterfully written, thought provoking and wonderfully narrated by the author

Mandy Matney’s expert writing and poised storytelling capabilities come to life in this book. I loved the behind the scenes look into her life as a journalist. Some of the personal and professional obstacles she has navigated I felt to be relatable for many women in the workforce today. I have come to respect her for her candor and dedication to finding justice. A must read/listen for not only those that have been following the miscarriages of justice within the South Carolina judicial system, but for anyone who enjoys reading about journalistic process and women overcoming adversity in male dominated professions. Mandy is so much more than the cases she has worked on. She is truly making a difference.

Not just because you are awesome!!

I don’t know if I have ever told you how wonderful of a human I think you are! I don’t know if I will listen 5, 10 or 20 more times but what I do know is it is so good and you did a wonderful job. I love the behind the scenes stuff!

Mandy is a star!

Love this book and love her! Can’t wait for her next book! Not just the case but her thoughts, feelings and life story- awesome!

The brutal honesty.

I just loved it. Mandy Matney is my hero. I have been a fan since moving here, Charleston SC, in 2020.

Mandy Rocks it.

I love that Mandy read it herself, you can feel the story though her perspective. I love her investigative reporting!

Love this!

Have listened to the podcast from the beginning so this was great for behind the scenes and internal struggles Mandy faced.. highly recommend

Great behind the scene details

I have followed the MMP since the beginning. Hearing more about Mandy’s struggles through the whole process and how she was able to overcome them was great. The perseverance through so many obstacles to stay with the story and get to the truth is a story of personal growth. Quick read and an inspiration to others to follow what you know to be true.