The Family Man: Blood and Betrayal in the House of Murdaugh
by James Lasdun
A family falls apart (4/9/2026)
Like many of you, I watched in horror as the extraordinary facts about the murders at the South Carolina home of Alex Murdaugh were revealed. It was hard to miss. You may be thinking, as I was, that the world couldn't possibly need yet another true crime book (news report, TV show, etc) about this sensational crime and all the events leading up to it.
This book, written by British born journalist James Lasdun, is not that, but a dense and detailed family and cultural exploration of what might have led a respected, apparently dedicated family man, a lawyer, to commit these crimes. Lasdun openly shares his skepticism about Alex's guilt early in the book, and then proceeds to investigate the history and events which might have led Murdaugh to commit the crimes.
If you are a fan of history, psychology, and, yes, true crime, you may also find this book as fascinating as I did.
Thanks to #BookBrowse for the opportunity to read and review the ARC.
Son of Nobody: A Novel
by Yann Martel
Reconsider the Iliad (1/10/2026)
I love books that ask me to think a little differently, that help me experience the story in a new way. This book definitely delivers this experience. You have the telling of the story of the son of nobody, but you also have the personal reflections and observations of a professor, a grieving father, and a sad husband. I found it to be a profound story of one family's personal war and grief, against the backdrop of an epic war and the inherent grief it brings to a civilization. The poetry was easy to read and was consistent with what little I know of the Iliad from other readings. There are many phrases throughout which are quite beautiful and I hope the reader will take some time to think about and reflect on those passages for themselves. I finished the book a few days ago and I've been reflecting on it ever since. It left me with a sense of unease, but also a sense of wonder.
These ancient stories, told and retold, help us to learn about ourselves and perhaps develop compassion for others.
I received an ERC of this book through #BookBrowse and I enjoyed reading it.
