An accurate, heartbreaking story well written and read

Trigger warning: Both the book and this review include discussions of abuse.

To be clear, I don't believe murder is excusable. The brothers did kill their parents and did need to take responsibility for that actions. That being said, this book will help people understand why they did what they did.

Spoiler alert.

This is not an easy listen. The Menendez brothers were subjected to years of horrific abuse from their parents - both physically and mentally. Their father sexually abused both sons from a very early age and threatened to kill them if they told anyone. Their mother knew about the abuse but did nothing to protect them. And as is typical for survivors of abuse, they were too ashamed to admit what was happening. As time went on it became clear their father would never let them go, and they truly feared for their lives. One day it all came to a head and resulted in the deaths of both Jose and Kitty Menendez.

As you listen it will become clear how the legal system in the US failed these men and how the prosecution in this case used a mis-trial to ensure critical evidence was excluded. It's heartbreaking.

Did the Menendez brothers deserve to be punished for their actions? Yes. Did they deserve the severity of their punishment? That's up to you to decide, but for me it's a resounding NO. Both well written and read I highly recommend it for fans of true crime.

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1 person found this helpful

Release Eric and Lyle

Absolutely agree with the author Eric and Lyle should be released. Poor guys life was ruined and there parents deserved it

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great listen

my heart hurts for these men ,they should not be in jail ,very interesting book

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Great read

The book has a lot of inside knowledge -
what made it and did not make it to trial. The insight on the lack of knowledge of SA during that time . These brothers have paid enough. I wish for them to be feee

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Tragic story for all involved

Nobody should ever go through what Erik and Lyle experienced. I truly hope their case can be reevaluated.

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Interesting legal tale

A terrible crime, and a tragic story leading up to it. The book follows the legal case and how the facts were brought to light. A good listen, if you can steel yourself for the grim parts

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Best insight into the case

As a supporter of their release, this book is a great insight into the lives of Lyle and Erik Menéndez before the crime. It truly helps put into perspective what kind of monsters the brothers were living with and why they felt their actions that night in August of 1989 made sense. With many prayers and so much hope, I can’t wait to see them freed in January 2025. Thanks, Robert, for this amazing book!

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Brilliantly narrated and a very informative book

This was very well written and is concise and to the point! Covered all of what you may know and many things we didn't know about both Lyle and Eric's life. Highly recommended by me. A magnificent and captivating true life story!

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2 people found this helpful

Best Menendez Brothers book out there

This is definitely the most accurate and well researched Menendez book you could buy. Robert Rand's writing is both engaging and easy to follow, and I love that he treats the entire family; Lyle, Erik and the victims, with respect while still showing the full level of abuse that went on in that household.

This book gives a full perspective on the trial, without having to watch every second of testimony (although I have watched a lot of that too)

10/10 would read again.

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Complete

Miami Herald/KCOP-TV investigative reporter Robert Rand attended both Menendez trials daily - offering real-time analysis to Court TV and several of the top news networks (ABC, CNN, etc). This book summarizes his observations without much discernable bias. You are getting the unvarnished/unspun details of the crime & trials when you read this book. True, Rand mainly offers the testimony speaking to the themes argued by the defense in the trials (was this justified/self-defense?) without giving as much emphasis to lying & potential financial motives, but I didn't feel manipulated.
The recent push for modified sentencing makes this book newly timely. (I'm writing this in October of 2024 - 30+ years after the convictions). It's a good book worth your attention.

As to presentation: Highbridge Audio could have cast the project better (the subpar reading is the weakest aspect of the audiobook). Don't get me wrong, Eric Martin is a professional reader with a lecturer-quality didactic style that fits the subject matter well.. but his tendency to overenunciation and a frustratingly robotic monotone mar the performance.

Altogether, 'The Menendez Murders' is an 8/10-star listen.. easily worth your time as a 'Plus' option, but likely not worth your Credit when they ask for one.

[The exclusion of abuse accusations as prejudicial in the second trial was ridiculous.. but so is the idea that they feared for their lives, imo. "Justifiable Homicide" was a non-starter, but "Self Defense" was a ludicrous defense strategy. That said, the decision - just today - to recommend resentencing the brothers to "Life with Parole Possible" seems spot-on]

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