Author and Wall Street Journal Reporter Valerie Bauerlein will discuss her book The Devil At His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty here in Beaufort next week. The book will soon be available in paperback.
According to her publisher, Bauerlein goes deeper into the Murdaugh family history than anyone has before, exposing a villainous family dynasty that comes to a murderous conclusion. With masterful research and cinematic writing, she expertly weaves together a propulsive narrative of the murder case that gripped the world.
Bauerlein’s reporting includes shocking new details about the trial, the boat crash, the investigation, and the family history that will surprise even the most devoted Murdaugh case follower. She interviewed over 200 people —lead investigators and attorneys on both sides of the case who have never before given interviews—spent dozens of hours with key figures and was one of the few journalists who were in the courtroom for every day of the trial, and the only print journalist to visit Moselle with the jury.
Valerie Bauerlein
Of Bauerlein’s book, Pulitzer Prize winner Kathleen Parker writes, “Valerie Bauerlein proves with her riveting account of the 2023 double-murder trial of Alex Murdaugh that exceptional reporting precedes exceptional writing. The Devil at His Elbow is a page-turner in the best traditions of murder, mystery, and The South’s indefatigable supply of epic Gothic dramas. Not only does she take a deep dive into the family history that led, perhaps inexorably, to a drug-addicted thief, fraudster, liar and murderer, but she also offers fresh details that expose the dark heart of a psychopath. Even if you think you’ve read, watched, heard or seen everything about Murdaugh and the bizarre events leading up to the grisly murders of his wife and youngest son, your time will not be wasted discovering that you haven’t. Brava, Valerie!”
Bauerlein at Mozelle
About the Author
Valerie Bauerlein is a national reporter for The Wall Street Journal who writes about small-town America and Southern politics, economics, and culture. She has covered the South her entire career, including nineteen years at the Journal and four years at The State in Columbia, South Carolina. Ms. Bauerlein graduated from Duke University. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and their two children.
About the Event
Valerie Bauerlein’s author talk is free of charge and open to all on Wednesday, March 19, from 7-9 pm, at the Robert Smalls Leadership Academy at 40-50 WK Alston Drive. It will take place in their cafe (facing the school, on the extreme left side parallel to the football field), where parking is plentiful. After Valerie’s talk there will be Q&A. The event is sponsored by the women’s and men’s book clubs of Habersham. Books will be available for sale on site through the Beaufort Book Store and Valerie will be available to sign books.
