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Murder in the Family: Inside story of the Jersey murders
As this true crime tale of murder shows, even the most successful families can hide terrible secrets …
On the beautiful island of Jersey, the wealthy Newall family was the epitome of success – or at least, that’s how it seemed. Roderick, the eldest son, was a handsome lieutenant in the Royal Green Jackets and his younger brother, Mark, was a financier. But on the night of 10 October 1987, Nicholas and Elizabeth Newall went out to dinner with their sons to celebrate her forty-eighth birthday – and it was the last time that the parents were seen alive.
At some point during that evening, Nicholas and Elizabeth were bludgeoned to death at their home. Then, their bodies were removed, leaving only bloodstains behind.
For six years Roderick Newall denied all responsibility for the murder; even after his dramatic arrest on the high seas by a Royal Navy frigate, followed by extradition from Gibraltar to stand trial on Jersey. But ultimately, he could no longer sustain the lie, and took detectives to a beauty spot on the island where he had buried his parents with the help of his younger brother, Mark.
What had driven Roderick to murder his apparently loving parents? And why should Mark Newall have been prepared to put his loyalty to his brother above that to his parents, thus becoming an accomplice to murder?
Murder in the Family is the gripping account of Jersey's most notorious and fascinating murder the tracking down and conviction of the Newall brothers is a thriller without parallel. Jeremy Josephs had extensive co-operation from those close to the case and the Newall family in writing this enthralling book, which is ideal for fans of true crime everywhere.
Praise for Murder in the Family:
‘Finely detailed and well written’ - Amazon review
‘I enjoyed the book, cover to cover! It was a new story to me which as a follower of true crime isn't always easy to find’ - Amazon review
‘It’s hard to believe something so horrible can happen in a family. This was a very well written true crime novel. I couldn't put it down’ - kobo.com review
Jeremy Josephs is a British author who originally trained as a barrister. He has written several books including One Bloody Afternoon and Inside the Alliance. He lives in Montpellier, France.
On the beautiful island of Jersey, the wealthy Newall family was the epitome of success – or at least, that’s how it seemed. Roderick, the eldest son, was a handsome lieutenant in the Royal Green Jackets and his younger brother, Mark, was a financier. But on the night of 10 October 1987, Nicholas and Elizabeth Newall went out to dinner with their sons to celebrate her forty-eighth birthday – and it was the last time that the parents were seen alive.
At some point during that evening, Nicholas and Elizabeth were bludgeoned to death at their home. Then, their bodies were removed, leaving only bloodstains behind.
For six years Roderick Newall denied all responsibility for the murder; even after his dramatic arrest on the high seas by a Royal Navy frigate, followed by extradition from Gibraltar to stand trial on Jersey. But ultimately, he could no longer sustain the lie, and took detectives to a beauty spot on the island where he had buried his parents with the help of his younger brother, Mark.
What had driven Roderick to murder his apparently loving parents? And why should Mark Newall have been prepared to put his loyalty to his brother above that to his parents, thus becoming an accomplice to murder?
Murder in the Family is the gripping account of Jersey's most notorious and fascinating murder the tracking down and conviction of the Newall brothers is a thriller without parallel. Jeremy Josephs had extensive co-operation from those close to the case and the Newall family in writing this enthralling book, which is ideal for fans of true crime everywhere.
Praise for Murder in the Family:
‘Finely detailed and well written’ - Amazon review
‘I enjoyed the book, cover to cover! It was a new story to me which as a follower of true crime isn't always easy to find’ - Amazon review
‘It’s hard to believe something so horrible can happen in a family. This was a very well written true crime novel. I couldn't put it down’ - kobo.com review
Jeremy Josephs is a British author who originally trained as a barrister. He has written several books including One Bloody Afternoon and Inside the Alliance. He lives in Montpellier, France.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2022
763 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 2, 2025
What an interesting true crime story! I had never heard of this crime and it reminded me a great deal of the Menendez brothers.
It was interesting to read about the Jersey Island, which I didn’t know much about before reading this. Josephs describes the island really well and how society worked on the island, both of which is helpful to understand when discussing the crime. He goes into excruciating detail on the history of the family. Sometimes a bit too much where it feels like I wasn’t moving through the real events quickly enough. In fact, there’s so much dissection of the history that the crime itself, the evidence and the police work feel rushed in comparison - and sadly, that’s what I wanted more of while reading. It was an interesting read but I didn’t love the pacing. I was surprised by the ending of the events but it’s real life so sometimes people get away with murder.
It was interesting to read about the Jersey Island, which I didn’t know much about before reading this. Josephs describes the island really well and how society worked on the island, both of which is helpful to understand when discussing the crime. He goes into excruciating detail on the history of the family. Sometimes a bit too much where it feels like I wasn’t moving through the real events quickly enough. In fact, there’s so much dissection of the history that the crime itself, the evidence and the police work feel rushed in comparison - and sadly, that’s what I wanted more of while reading. It was an interesting read but I didn’t love the pacing. I was surprised by the ending of the events but it’s real life so sometimes people get away with murder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2022
what a bore
This is an extremely dry and verbose recounting of what is a fascinating story. The author ruins the book by going on and on about legal machinations and the exceedingly dull Jersey policemen and how much money they spent over 5 years of bumbling about.
The description of the murders, the exhumation of the graves and the psychological distress felt by the family is slight and without details.
There are several very generic and bland interview statements presented one after another almost as if reading a newspaper article. I found myself skimming large parts of the book while muttering “boring boring.”
I’m a true crime fan and have read probably over 200 books. I would place this at the bottom of the barrel. I think the author may be lacking talent.
All in all a disappointment
This is an extremely dry and verbose recounting of what is a fascinating story. The author ruins the book by going on and on about legal machinations and the exceedingly dull Jersey policemen and how much money they spent over 5 years of bumbling about.
The description of the murders, the exhumation of the graves and the psychological distress felt by the family is slight and without details.
There are several very generic and bland interview statements presented one after another almost as if reading a newspaper article. I found myself skimming large parts of the book while muttering “boring boring.”
I’m a true crime fan and have read probably over 200 books. I would place this at the bottom of the barrel. I think the author may be lacking talent.
All in all a disappointment
July 19, 2023
Interesting true story about a horrible family tradegy. A long time in solving murder and all the steps it took. Also the emotional facts of people who where friends, family and neighbors of the murdered couple. The extent of law enforcement to solve this case and the frustation of not getting enough prove to arrest the murder suspect to solve this crime. In due time it was solved with a horrible revelation about the murderer. The life of the sons of the murdered couple as they continued their lives before the case was solved.
December 13, 2023
Disturbingly compelling account of toxicity in a family's life.
Hard to believe but becoming more frequent with the remote parenting perhaps accompanied by multiplet love?" This was or should be a wakeup call for every family caught up in things other than those whose lives should matter the most.
Hard to believe but becoming more frequent with the remote parenting perhaps accompanied by multiplet love?" This was or should be a wakeup call for every family caught up in things other than those whose lives should matter the most.
December 8, 2023
Just a terribly written, disjointed and often oddly phrased book. Details that weren’t necessary followed by sparse information on other things. Ended up skim reading then checking Google just to see what happened
true-crime-books
November 24, 2022An interesting true crime case
The grisly murders of Nicholas and Elizabeth Newall by their sons created an uproar on the little island of Jersey and prompted a six-year search for justice. The full story of the crime and the investigation is covered in this book.
The small police representation on Jersey joined forces with many other law enforcement agencies and traveled many miles gathering information and evidence to bring those responsible to answer for their deeds.
44
The grisly murders of Nicholas and Elizabeth Newall by their sons created an uproar on the little island of Jersey and prompted a six-year search for justice. The full story of the crime and the investigation is covered in this book.
The small police representation on Jersey joined forces with many other law enforcement agencies and traveled many miles gathering information and evidence to bring those responsible to answer for their deeds.
44
July 6, 2024
When we talk about the murder of parents there is usually a good motive whether it be money, they were abusive or just pure sociopathic traits from the kids.
This one is a little different. It is a very short book however it is worth it to spend a couple days on this.
Recommend it. There is the UK language in it but you will get the hang of it.
This one is a little different. It is a very short book however it is worth it to spend a couple days on this.
Recommend it. There is the UK language in it but you will get the hang of it.
July 25, 2023
I rarely fail to finish a book, but I could not force myself to keep reading this one. I couldn’t even skip around to the “good parts,” because there weren’t enough. This book needed a serious edit of all those details that imo were not pertinent.
January 6, 2023
Writing was a bit bland - the story seemed like it had a lot of intrigue, but the writing never conveyed it well.
January 24, 2023
I was unable to finish the book. Didn’t keep my interest.
May 31, 2023
3.5 stars
A good account of this tragic murder. At times it was a bit slow and I was skimming through. Includes pictures.
A good account of this tragic murder. At times it was a bit slow and I was skimming through. Includes pictures.
October 14, 2023
Really interesting case I’d never heard of, but I found the writing dry and it didn’t really keep my interest.
November 6, 2023
An ok book. Biggest drawback was that right before the midpoint, the ending was given away. Took away 90% of my interest right away.
January 26, 2025
Truth Revealed?
Knowing family secrets and following the police work in not only solving a crime, but being able to prove it in an English Court of Law is the mystery followed in this story. It grabs you at the beginning & doesn't let you go. If you like suspense & drama on the high seas, this book is for you.
Knowing family secrets and following the police work in not only solving a crime, but being able to prove it in an English Court of Law is the mystery followed in this story. It grabs you at the beginning & doesn't let you go. If you like suspense & drama on the high seas, this book is for you.
April 15, 2024
I was not familiar with this case, so started reading from scratch. It was a well written crime story. All the family background, houses and properties and relationships between the various family members were well-explained. Everything that happened was told...except for the why?
September 2, 2025
Well Researched and Told
Sometimes the sentence structure was confusing, but in total I thought it was a well written, interesting read. Surprisingly, despite the global nature of the case, I had not heard of it, but this was the time before social media.
Sometimes the sentence structure was confusing, but in total I thought it was a well written, interesting read. Surprisingly, despite the global nature of the case, I had not heard of it, but this was the time before social media.
November 2, 2022
Great book
I enjoyed this book. I like the way the author told the story!! The investigation was told but he also told us about the people.
I enjoyed this book. I like the way the author told the story!! The investigation was told but he also told us about the people.
January 1, 2023
Murder in the Family: Inside story of the Jersey murders
Read
March 1, 2023Fast moving story with good details
July 20, 2023
Sad story but finally justice served (?)
How tragic for everyone involved, from family to friends and law enforcement. It comes down to selfishness on many sides.
How tragic for everyone involved, from family to friends and law enforcement. It comes down to selfishness on many sides.
January 31, 2024
Interesting retelling.
I found this account fascinating, although tragic and I was left with the feeling that not all the truth had come out or ever will. A worthwhile read.
I found this account fascinating, although tragic and I was left with the feeling that not all the truth had come out or ever will. A worthwhile read.
February 7, 2024
Well done
Well written, clear and concise. Complex details explained to make them easy to understand. Thaks, too, for the pictures included.
Well written, clear and concise. Complex details explained to make them easy to understand. Thaks, too, for the pictures included.
May 13, 2024
Tragedy Unveiled
It was a good read if you can call any true life crime good reading. It was well written. I would recommend it.
It was a good read if you can call any true life crime good reading. It was well written. I would recommend it.
June 9, 2025
Riveting!
I read this story in 2 days and would have read it in 1 if I didn’t have to sleep. It was very well written and kept me intrigued the whole way.
I read this story in 2 days and would have read it in 1 if I didn’t have to sleep. It was very well written and kept me intrigued the whole way.
June 6, 2024
Interesting but not the best
November 5, 2022
murder without love
A long complicated murder fostered by no likable characters.
I read through to the end but I was anxious for it to conclude.
A long complicated murder fostered by no likable characters.
I read through to the end but I was anxious for it to conclude.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews