The Menendez Murders

The Shocking Untold Story of the Menendez Family and the Killings that Stunned the Nation

By: Robert Rand

Narrated by: Eric Martin

Discover the definitive book on the Menendez case - and the source material for NBC's Law and Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders.

A successful entertainment executive making two million a year. His former beauty queen wife. Their two sons on the fast track to success. Until tragedy struck.

Married for 26 years, Jose and Kitty Menendez appeared to be a happy couple and proud parents. Twenty-one-year-old Lyle Menendez was enrolled at Princeton, where he was a star on the tennis team. Eighteen-year-old Erik Menendez had just graduated from Beverly Hills High and was about to start college at UCLA. The Menendezes appeared to be living the American dream. But it was all a façade.

The Menendez saga has captivated and fascinated people since 1989. The killing of Jose and Kitty Menendez on a quiet Sunday evening in Beverly Hills didn't make the cover of People magazine until the arrest of their sons seven months after the murders, and the case developed an intense cult following. When the first Menendez trial began in July 1993, the public was convinced that Lyle and Erik - "the boys", as they would become known - were a pair of greedy rich kids who had killed loving, devoted parents. But the real story remained buried beneath years of dark secrets - until now.

©2018 Robert Rand (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Phenomenal read!!!

This book certainly delivers and gives you a different perspective that hasn’t been brought to the forefront. I appreciated all the additional pieces of the puzzle that was given from the family members who knew them intimately. These family members who had first hand knowledge and could verify many things that others could only speculate about. Very well written and from an author who was privy to pivotal information. Thanks for sharing and helping others get accurate information on this case.

An Eye-Opening Account

Interesting connection made between the outcome of this trial and the Rodney King and OJ trials, both of which led to acquittals. I believe the Menendez brothers plotted to kill their parents to escape the trauma they’d endured for years and felt they’d otherwise never escape. While I do believe they were guilty, evidence that surfaced after their conviction leads me to believe guilt on a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter would have been most appropriate. Instead, the brothers were sentenced to consecutive terms of life in prison (for each murder) without the possibility of parole (separate prisons no less). A sad outcome for all. This story was so well told and the synopsis of the trial and retrial of the Menendez brothers was succinctly and effectively presented.

Great details on the trial

Thorough deep dive into this case - narrated well and written even better. This book made me change my mind on the matter.

Mendez brothers have done their time

The second trial was a complete set up and the brothers had no chance of winning. I am sorry, but we seem to forget the father used these kids as personal sex toys. For those that do not believe that story are delusional. The amount of detail, and reactions were to genuine. Then to have no other parent to go to for some sort of support, or protection must have been living hell. I guess for the people who still do not believe the abuse was real are also going to call the menudo victims liars to. They have no reason to come forward and tell what happened, other then revealing truth and awareness. Many try to compare there physical abuse to these victims sexual abuse, but I’m sorry physical and sexual abuse are on two different plains. It’s like comparing apples and eggplant. I hope these guys get released soon, they have paid their debt to society and then some!

Amazing detail

I loved that this added a whole new view on this particular case for as complex as it was. fantastic book!

A tragic story of a disfunctional family

A highly disfunctional family with a long history of verbal, psychological and physical abuse. Three generations of people who suffered years of sexual abuse from those whose job in life is to love and protect them. At some point it must have led to a tragic end.

It is not an easy book, but I think everybody should read it as a cautionary tale if nothing else.
Now, 30 years later our awareness of deep psychological trauma in victims of child abuse is much higher, thankfully. There is no doubt in my mind that the verdict and the sentencing in the Menendez case would be different, should the brothers be tried today. There is no excuse for murder of course, but sometimes mitigating circumstances MUST be taken into account. Lyle and Erik Menendez have already done their time. It is really sad that the brothers will never get a chance to make a semblance of normal life out of prison, especially when you consider acquittals of people like O.J. Simpson.

To those who are really invested in this story I recommend Law & Order True Crime the Menendez Murders, a 2017 limited TV series that documents the case.

Captivating New Information

This has made me look at the brothers in a different way. New information to me is given. I find it a travesty that this information was not allowed in the trial. What Erik and Lyle did was wrong and they are serving their time for it. However, if it is true what their father did to them and their mother’s not doing anything about it, then they have surely paid their due.

Habeas Corpus for the Brothers

What is Habeas Corpus?
The “Great Writ” of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. Translated from Latin it means “show me the body.” Habeas corpus has historically been an important instrument to safeguard individual freedom against arbitrary executive power.

The book was very thought-provoking, but at times alarming and sad.

This was the first book I have ever read, or listen to regarding the Menendez murders. It was very informative, thought-provoking, but at the same time very disturbing and sad in places.

Finally, Menéndez Brothers’ Trauma Taken Seriously

I followed this case from the beginning because I’d grown up near the family. I always believed the men had lived a terrible life and that their parents were to blame. I’ve also believed that abuse, be it emotional, physical or sexual are equally damaging.

This author handles the case objectively yet empathically. It’s a thorough and sensitive retelling of the tragedy. Kudos to Robert Rand for a detailed story that’s impossible to put down. I cried at the end of the book.

I highly recommend.