The Book of Murder
A Prosecutor's Journey Through Love and Death
Will be published approx. on 1. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-368-11930-6 (ISBN)
Description
Murder from an insider's perspective. Matt Murphy--a former criminal prosecutor and current ABC News legal contributor--discusses new and well-known cases from his career, and how they strained his personal life. Part taxonomy of murder, part prosecutor's handbook, and part personal memoir, The Book of Murder goes through a dozen cases and his recollections of his twenty-six years in the Orange County DA's office (seventeen in the Homicide Unit). Refreshingly honest about the toll such work takes on one's private life, Murphy weaves his personal narrative throughout his casework in a way that humanizes the people entrusted with the duty of seeking justice on behalf of the public. As he does so, he lays bare the decision-making a prosecutor goes through in building a case to ensure justice is met while telling captivating tale after captivating tale of the world's worst crime. See how a prosecutor looks at--and lives with--the very worst crime. The insider's perspective that Murphy gives on the notorious cases of
Hossein Nayeri, Skylar Deleon, Rodney Alcala, "Dirty John" Meehan, and many others is a vital read for true-crime fans everywhere.
Hossein Nayeri, Skylar Deleon, Rodney Alcala, "Dirty John" Meehan, and many others is a vital read for true-crime fans everywhere.
More details
Person
MATT MURPHY is a former Homicide prosecutor and current legal contributor for ABC News. He spent more than two decades assigned to the Sexual Assault and Homicide Units of the Orange County District Attorney's Office, where he tried some of the most compelling murder cases in America. During his long tenure in Homicide, he prosecuted cold cases, famous serial killers, no-body murders, and many more. Now in private practice, he regularly appears as a legal contributor on national television shows, including 20/20, Good Morning America, and various programs on Hulu. He is a mainstay on iCrime with Elizabeth Vargas and her evening news program, where he offers his insight on murder cases across the country. Matt volunteers his time helping survivors of sexual assault navigate the confusing and often-overwhelming criminal justice system. A native of Southern California, he is an avid surfer, shark diver, and novice painter. When not in the courtroom, he can often be found on, under, or in the waves near his beloved home of Manhattan Beach.