Sophie: The Final Verdict

by Senan Molony

It was 26 December 1996 when we arrived in West Cork to cover the recent murder of Frenchwoman Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Our man on the ground was Eoin [Ian] Bailey. His level of detail on the case showed extraordinary insight. I was completely taken in. When the scales fell from my eyes some weeks later, it was the shock of my journalistic career. In a moment, everything that had been eluding me about the strange workings of this dreadful case made perfect sense. I knew with blazing clarity that I had held the gaze of a pitiless destroyer in the aftermath of murder.

Ian Bailey, prime suspect for the brutal murder in West Cork of Frenchwoman Sophie Toscan du Plantier, died outdoors in January 2024, having never faced trial in Ireland.

His demise reopens a crime that shocked the nation in 1996 - along with divisions that have split society in the decades since over his guilt or innocence.

The Final Verdict tells a remarkable story that could not until now be revealed. Senan Molony was the first national crime correspondent at the scene. From his growing unease at his helper Ian Bailey's conduct, to the astonishing moment when Bailey was arrested for a murder the suspect himself had been covering, it is an insider's account of those infamous early days of a doomed investigation, and the astonishing years to follow - as Bailey, a violent misogynist and pathological liar, escaped trial in his adopted country despite compelling evidence.

Including interviews with members of Sophie's family, key garda investigators, local witnesses and Bailey himself, it sets out the full facts and categorically dismantles Bailey's mainstay defence that he did not know Sophie. As it unpacks some of the commonly held myths attaching to the case - misinformation often seeded by the suspect himself - it also brings to light astonishing new witness testimony of confessions to the murder, along with fresh evidence of guilt.

Bailey was tried in absentia in Paris and sentenced to 25 years but enjoyed full freedom after the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to put his fate before an Irish jury.

This book lets the full evidence speak.

Genres: Audiobook

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2024

Reviews

[Eoin Devlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very detailed account of all of the circumstantial evidence that points at Ian Bailey. It reads like tabloid journalism wrapped in a book. If true crime is your thing you could like this, it's just not really a genre I enjoy reading. To me it's like reading gossip, particularly as the perspective is one of a tabloid journalist competing with other ones to get a scoop. I do admire how journalists will sit down with suspected murderers and grill them. I also think it's a good book to write given the Irish justice system totally failed Sophie. My issue with this specific account is that it is entirely one sided and I have a natural dislike of biased writing that omits rather than debunks any challenges to its own point of view.

[Ainhoa Verdú · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting new insights on the Sophie Toscan Du Plantier case. It is excellent to read alongside with the podcast, as you can have a much more complete view of all the details, which are a ton.
Really well-written.

[Shane Colton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have followed this case closely and read other books so I was conscious this book might be more of what I already knew. Book exceeded expectations and good bit of new stuff I didn't previously know. Also the fact the prime suspect is now deceased, it felt the opinions of those in the book were less restrictive. Recommended

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been fascinated with this sad case and have read every book and watched every documentary imaginable on it. this was by far the best one. It seemed to lay out all of the facts and dispel the rumours by someone who was actively involved in reporting the case both at the time and throughout the long years. It still remains very respectful to Sophie and I felt it was very sympathetic toward her and her family. I was engrossed and found myself constantly saying 'one more chapter'.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is clearly not the final verdict but Senan Molonys verdict.. Bailey is guilty in Senans eyes but not in the courts of Ireland. Noting in the book that we didn't all ready know.

[Ciara K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like over the last few years I’ve read loads of books, watched all the documentaries, listened to the podcast; but after reading this I STILL found out new information on this case. Something about this has always stuck with me, I don’t know if it’s because of my legal qualifications that the background of it has always intrigued me, the lack of taking a case by the DPP etc. Something about the failings of the Irish state in this case has just hooked me in. Although the West Cork podcast cemented in my mind that Bailey did this, I do appreciate other theories and suspects. This book however just focused solely on Bailey and did not mention any of the other suspects, the author worked with Bailey at the time of the murder and I found the insights in this very interesting and I feel like it brought a lot more to the table to show his guilt. It’s just a pity that we will likely never know what happened to Sophie and that her family will never have justice

[Colin Wheatley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using the subtitle “The Final Verdict” is a bit rich. There’s lots of circumstantial evidence that paints a picture of a sexually depraved, violent man, but there’s not enough to convince beyond reasonable doubt that he’s a murderer. The DPP would have brought a case if they thought they’d win it. There’s nothing to even place the prime suspect (there are no other suspects considered in the book, suggesting the author “knows” who the guilty party is before he starts) at the scene, while the suggestion that a blind witness heard the suspect’s car around the time of the murder sounds like something out of Columbo (the episode “A Deadly State of Mind” to be precise).

[John Lawlor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve read on the Sophie case, having also watched the Netflix series and followed the West Cork podcast series. Molony very much ties his colours to the mast in fingering Ian Bailey as the killer. Whilst I still struggle to reach the same conclusion “beyond reasonable doubt”, there is compelling circumstantial evidence presented in the form of the timings of Bailey’s phone calls in the immediate aftermath of the murder and his pattern of misogynistic violence. A gripping read besides.

[Aidan Kernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent account by Senan Molony into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork in 1996. The author analyses Ian Bailey's background dealing with his violent alcoholism, failed career, acrimonious divorce, misogyny and suspicious timeline of events after the murder. The circumstantial evidence is overwhelming.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, for me, is the best book I've read on this subject...and I've read them all! Even though I am familiar with most of the reported facts I couldn't put this one down. The author has a unique insight into this sad story and the book reflects this. Well worth a read if you are interested in this story.

[Robert Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid and comprehensive history of this brutal murder. A times it gets a little bogged down in itself. But there is a final verdict.

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing read

Intriguing read, very well written, great attention to detail. Lots of extra inside information about this case. Well worth the read.

[Catherine Keyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the writing style also though it was very one sided