The Dream Solution: The Murder of Alison Shaughnessy - and the Fight to Name Her Killer

by Bernard O'Mahoney, Mick McGovern

Following Michelle and Lisa Taylor's conviction of the savage murder of Alison Shaugnessy, Bernard O'Mahoney embarked on a successful crusade to prove their innocence. Michelle - who had been having an affair with Alison's husband - had been found guilty of murdering Alison in a jealous rage, and her sister, Lisa, was convicted of aiding her in the brutal attack. During the appeal to clear their names, Bernard O'Mahoney and Michelle began a passionate affair. Then, his suspicions aroused by her obsessive behaviour, O'Mahoney stumbled across a letter which could only mean one thing - Michelle was guilty. Following a heated confrontation, she finally broke down and admitted her guilt. The Dream Solution tells of two dramatic legal battles - one to free the sisters, and the other to prove their guilt.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Bill reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bernard O’Mahoney lives up to the term "Fighting Irish, " as he was placed in prison on more than one occasion after another for bar fights, some of which included broken bottles as weapons. Dad was a drunken brute who passed on a violent streak to the angry young man.
After serving with the British military during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Bernard retuned home to England where his legal problems gave him the brilliant idea to escape to South Africa during the start of the uprising. He worked as a bouncer in clubs and also on security patrols where he witnessed the disgusting treatment of Blacks.
After a short stay, he flew back to Britain where he describes more battles with drunks as a bouncer at various drinking establishments. The cast of hard-drinking miscreants is in need of a scorecard.
In between all of the madness, Bernard discovered a knack for writing letters to criminals and obtaining confessions from them. Posing as a young lady, he was able to exchange letters with Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper. The material was sold to a newspaper.
Ecstasy pills and cocaine take up a large part of the story with Bernard and his associates wheeling and dealing their wares in multiple nightclubs. Violence and death are a constant and the book reads like a British version of Pileggi's Wiseguys.
Bernard has outlived most of his fellow Essex Boys and Trouble in Mind is a repetitive read.

[donna Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish

I've always been hooked on the ESSEX BOYS case and people who are involved in the underworld or as for instance like the author of this book have seen and heard a lot of wrong doings, Bernard O 'Mahoney explains himself very well in this book and definitely an interesting character (would love to meet him one day) despite what the media say , from this book I made up my own mind and he is human like the rest of us but always seem TROUBLE used to find him not the other way round, the bit about his wife passing so sad bless her heart and the long drawn out heartache of his abusive father probably one the best autobiographies for this era

[Blind Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trouble remembering the truth.

Very vague, disappointing and seemingly sparse with the truth.
Nothing is ever his fault, just the world in which he walks daily.
The ending is completely poorly written and like an essay ends from a 12 year old child.
One star is one too many!

[keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

The book is very well put together very interesting read probably Bernard best book. I could not put to down .

[jayne elizabeth bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I am really glad bought this book and it's well worth the read and honest and not all about the killing of the 3 men who was killed in the range rover