Blood on Their Hands

Murder, Corruption, and the Fall of the Murdaugh Dynasty

By: Mandy Matney

Narrated by: Mandy Matney

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

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.

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.

Honest Journalism

As a listener of MMP from the beginning, I can appreciate getting to hear even more of the back story on Mandy’s journey. Mandy has consistently impressed me with her transparency, work ethic, and bravery to say what so many of us are too busy, scared, or exhausted to call out. Her honesty about workplace politics as a woman is highly relatable and inspiring. I enjoyed this book tremendously.

Mandy’s “story.”

We know the Murdaugh story but I enjoyed hearing Mandy tell her story in her own words.

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.

A New Angle, Powerful Story

Even if you’ve read all the Murdaugh coverage- Read This!! It’s about that but also it’s not. It’s about bad systems and brave people and strong women. It’s about friendship. It’s honest and personal while being completely relatable (especially to women who have worked in basically any industry.)
And yes. There are also some new perspectives on the Murdaugh stuff.

Hearing Mandy read this in her own words was especially powerful. Thanks, Mandy!

Love Mandy read this

After listening to the entire podcast it was great to hear how she actually accomplished it all. I really appreciate that she released the audio book at the same time as the paper book so I didn't have to wait

Amazing!!

Written very well. I loved being able to listen to this from Mandy herself. Learned a lot that I didn’t know about some of the behind the scenes stuff from the podcast. Great job!!!

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.