2024 the best true crime podcasts review

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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.

From the Publisher

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CB4CK8KJ
Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow (November 14, 2023)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 14, 2023
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 18181 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
Reviewer: Gina W. Carpenter
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A must read book!
Review: Debut novel written by a young, brave and pesky journalist that rose to success reporting on the downfall of South Carolina’s “good old boy” disgraced former attorney Alex Murdaugh as well as victims Mallory Beach, Hawkeen Pinckney, Stephen Smith & Gloria Scatterfield. I finished easily in a day. It was so well written and flowed from one chapter to the next. Mandy exposes the truth and reports so much breaking news about the SC Lowcountry and the secrets held within. The book has so many interesting details that no one else would report. A fascinating read about Alex Murdaugh and his family starting with his son’s (Paul) boat crash that killed Mallory Beach. It details Mandy’s journey from a struggling journalist to starting her own podcast with the help of her husband David Moses. I loved the MMP podcasts so I knew I’d love this book. Can’t wait for the next book!

Reviewer: Cindy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great read
Review: Great true crime book!

Reviewer: geri foreman
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: very good read
Review: I was fascinated by the Netflix documentary and trial, it was fun to read her experiences concerning the Murdaugh murders

Reviewer: Reychel Estrada
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great read for Mandy's insights
Review: I am an avid listener of the podcast. It was great to get to hear everything going on in Mandy's life as she was reporting on these events. I often wondered how she was doing, if she feared for her life reporing on someone with so much power in that community. I always admired how she called people out! Keep shining Sunlight Mandy!

Reviewer: L. Chier
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: insight into journalism that matters
Review: I’ve been listening to true sunlight and cup of Justice for a long time and finally got around to reading this book. Mandy’s writing is clear and concise. She conveys her experiences ,thoughts and feelings well. It was interesting to read what was going on behind the scenes as I was listening to the podcast at the time this book takes place is a true investigative journalist and is changing the world for better one case at a time.

Reviewer: Laithe
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Know what you’re buying
Review: This is a great book, well written and engrossing, but people should be aware that it’s not inherently a book about the Murdaugh murders, it’s an autobiography of a journalist who covered the murders and it covers a short window of several years when she worked the Murdaugh cases and produced her Murdaugh Murders podcast. If you’re a fan of the podcast, pick this book up for extra color; however, if you’re just looking for more info on the Murdaugh murders, go find the podcasts online, they’re very thorough. This book is more about Mandy, her stress, her boyfriend, her dog, her thoughts on marriage, her take on toxic masculinity, her personal issues with people, her vocal fry hang up, etc. Still enjoyable but not really as advertised.

Reviewer: MAC
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: The OG on the Murdaughs
Review: That pesky podcast girl is at it again! Except this time, Mandy Matney speaks her mind in her first published book, Blood On Their Hands. Matney, creator of the #1 hit Murdaugh Murders Podcast, has built a loyal group of listeners who have been highly anticipating this book for months. Matney’s reputation of calling out the “good old boy network” holds true to form. The Lowcountry investigative journalist remains undeterred from potential backlash as she spits the truth for the sake of justice and victim advocacy. She gives backstories and more detailed insight on her work that helped bring down the Murdaugh dynasty, the powerful family of solicitors of the South Carolina 14th Circuit for more than 85 years.Blood On Their Hands is also a memoir that will delight her fans. Matney recounts workplace hurdles where the scales of journalistic integrity were tilted to her older, male counterparts. Unable to align her values with this type of workplace culture, Matney forged (no pun intended) her own path to career success. Readers learn how her first podcast was recorded from her kitchen table, how she met her husband, David Moses, and planned a non-traditional wedding in the middle of the Murdaugh saga.The book is more than a memoir. It’s also a story of the formation of Matney’s deeply rooted friendship with journalist Liz Farrell. This part of the book will be relatable to those who are fortunate enough to have the Thelma to their Louise, the Lucy to their Ethel, or the friend who always has your back, like one who would never let you oversleep on an important day. Matney and Farrell’s friendship will last forever, just like Alex Murdaugh’s two life sentences.While Matney’s role in the early reporting of the Murdaugh’s corruption, financial crimes, and murders solidifies her as a generational reporter, she is not afraid to show vulnerability in addressing her own mental health in the book.Admittedly, Blood On Their Hands will resonate more with those readers who have followed the Murdaugh storyline. Otherwise, a reader with little knowledge of the cruel corruption and legal shenanigans may be perplexed by Matney’s colorful middle names for some of the good ole boys.In a recent webcast Happy Hour, Matney professed that she hopes her book inspires others to stand up for themselves, trust their gut instincts, and surround themselves with a good support system. Blood on Their Hands does just that.

Reviewer: Melissa and Tyler
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Fascinating, Engaging and BRAVE!
Review: A fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the tireless work that went into bringing the Murdaugh story — and the South Carolina justice system — into the sunlight. Mandy Matney is a fabulous story teller, who breaks down complex issues in a way that someone without a criminal justice background can understand. I live in a city known for the corruption of its political officials and Mandy’s story not only gives me hope for the future, but shows me that it’s possible for individuals to make a difference. I look at news so differently after learning about this story, and I have a much better understanding my own role in creating change in my city —and that is a big deal.True crime lovers, community members, voters, journalists and anyone else interested in how a system works (or doesn’t work) will be captivated by this story and will probably be just as fascinated as I was when I read it.Hats off to Mandy and those who have supported her along the way for taking on this dynasty and challenging everything that allowed them to gain such unchecked power in the first place. I cannot imagine how scary that must have been, and possibly still is. Their bravery and conviction are inspiring, and are just another reason I think everyone will enjoy this book!

Reviewer: Samantha Pomroy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: As an avid TSP (formerly MMP) and COJ listener I could not wait to read this book. I did not think I could be any more shocked at how egregious the behaviour of the men in the Murdaugh circle was, but alas, I was taken aback even more. Mandy Matney and Carolyn Murnick bring to life an incredible story of the familiar heartbreaks young women experience when trying to find their place in the world along with the less familiar intensity of trying to uncover the dark underbelly of the systems of privilege that keep bad actors above the law in SC. As a Canadian I can't relate to some of the cultural pieces of life in South Carolina, but I can relate to the way young women are treated as "silly little girls". Thank you for being a beacon of light in a world that feels so difficult to navigate, where our systems seem to be crumbling around us, and where it feels like making a difference as a single person is an insurmountable task. Mandy, David, and Liz - you give me hope that our generation will continue to make positive change toward dismantling the systems to uphold rich white men and this book is a scathing review of those systems. Highly recommend it!! Especially for anyone with young women in your life who are starting their careers and need to see that standing up for yourself is not only okay, but necessary and healthy. 💜

Reviewer: Lisa
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I’ve been an avid listener of the Murdaugh Murders podcast for quite a while so was really looking forward to reading Mandy’s book and it didn’t disappoint. I found it so insightful in so many ways, I loved reading about the due diligence and background checking that went into Mandy’s work and also loved reading about the life experiences that have shaped Mandy’s reporting, especially as I think most women could probably relate in some way to the things she has experienced. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone, even if you’ve never heard of the Murdaughs- it’s such a good read.

Reviewer: Samantha F.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I have listened to every episode of The Murdaugh Murders Podcast, True Sunlight and Cup of Justice, but I still preordered the book and couldn’t wait to read it. I thought much of the information would be things I’d learned from the podcasts, but there was plenty of new information and I loved getting Mandy’s perspective of the situation, community and politics from the beginning of the story. Absolutely worth reading - it was genuine, heartfelt and informative. I appreciate Mandy’s empathy for the families of all of the victims and her insistence that good people can affect change, even when it sometimes feels insurmountable.

Reviewer: Scrimmy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I have listened to the MMP, was late to the party, but hooked, then COJ. I ordered this book as soon as Mandy announced available to preorder. It really opened my eyes and made me think very differently about journalism. What an amazing person and people around you Mandy.

Reviewer: CarliR
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A must read. Mandy Matney has done a deep dive into a series of events that is astonishing and beyond belief. I’ve followed the Murdaugh Murders case, as well as Mandy and Liz’s podcast and the trial throughout. The amount of dedication that the author has put into her work and this novel is an inspiration. I couldn’t put this book down.