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The Suspect: A true story of love, betrayal, marriage and murder
On a clear autumn morning in 2004 Rachel O’Reilly, a 30 year-old mother-of-two, was brutally battered to death in her home. It was a merciless killing that stunned the small, trusting community where she lived, and devastated her close-knit family. In the days that followed the discovery of her body, it was thought that Rachel was the victim of a bungled robbery attempt. It soon emerged, however, that police investigating the case believed Rachel had known her killer and that her murder had been carefully planned months in advance. The spotlight immediately fell upon Rachel’s husband, Joe O’Reilly, who admitted in a number of extraordinary press interviews that he was a prime suspect in his wife’s slaying. The 32-year-old advertising executive vehemently denied any involvement. It was a crime that captured the imagination of the public, who watched as the illusion of the idyllic suburban life the couple shared together began to shatter. Extract from the Suspect WITH THE SOUND of her heart pounding loudly in her ears, Rose Callaly drove as quickly as she could in the direction of her daughter’s home.Gripping the steering wheel tightly, she did her best to calm herself down by going through all of the logical reasons why Rachel O’Reilly might not be answering her telephone. Maybe she was out shopping or visiting a friend and had left her mobile at home by mistake, maybe there was a fault with the line, maybe … Rose shook her head and decided to concentrate on the road instead; it was safer that way. Thankfully traffic was good and within 20 minutes she was parking in the driveway of her daughter’s bungalow, which lay nestled in the picturesque countryside of north Dublin.As she pulled up beside Rachel’s Renault Scenic, which was parked in the same spot she always left it, Rose’s sense of foreboding deepened. If her daughter was at home, why had she not answered the landline or acknowledged any of the many worried messages her family had left for her? Ever since being told that her daughter had failed to pick up her youngest son, Adam, from the crèche earlier that morning, Rose knew from somewhere deep down that something was wrong.But now was not the time to panic; she had to find Rachel. As she turned off the engine of her car, two dogs her daughter was looking after began to jump and bark. Already in a rush to get into the house, she was irritated by the thoughts of trying to stop them following her.As it was, she needn’t have worried—something was already stopping the dogs from entering the house. Walking quickly to the back patio doors of the house, the entrance the family always used, Rose was surprised to find them both wide open. She was even more surprised when she saw that the curtains in the kitchen were drawn, something Rachel would never allow happen during the day.She entered and swiftly scanned the room and although paying little attention, as she was intent on locating Rachel, she did notice there were several items strewn around the floor. She would later recall that she felt ‘someone had taken and actually placed them there.’ She also spotted that the kitchen tap was running but did not stop to turn it off. ‘Rachel, Rachel, where are you love?’ Rose called as she walked into the utility room. There was no sign of her daughter in the small area where the washing machine was kept, so she crossed over into the hallway. Turning to her left, she checked the sitting room; it was a mess, dozens of CDs and DVDs lay strewn on the floor. What had happened? Where was Rachel? Rose began to call louder. ‘Rachel, Rachel are you alright? Answer me love. Where are you?’ Everything appeared to be normal and so she turned around to face the room where her daughter slept with her husband Joe. Her eyes were almost immediately and reluctantly drawn to the floor. Blessing herself, she let out a small cry. There, lying motionless on the light coloured carpet of the room was the body of her daughter, Rachel.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2007
482 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Friel
2 books1 followerJenny Friel is a features writer with the Irish Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. She is one of Ireland’s best known journalists and interviewers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 5, 2018
The Suspect: A true story of love, betrayal, marriage and murder
Written by ~ Jenny Friel
A horrible murder in Ireland is being investigated after a young mother is killed. She’s found by her mother, brutally murdered, and it seems her cheating husband isn’t too upset at his loss. The Garda is on the case, will they come to the right conclusion? This is a decently written true crime story about Joe O'Reilly and his wife who is found dead when she fails to pick up their sons from preschool one day. It’s a very bloody scene and of course, the husband claims to have an alibi for the time of the murder. So who could have killed this wife and mother? The author gets a chance to interview the husband, and they meet at the scene. Much of the writing was quite good. Recommend if you like true crime in other countries.
Maverick House 288 pages
Pub: Sep 1st, 2014
My BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
Written by ~ Jenny Friel
A horrible murder in Ireland is being investigated after a young mother is killed. She’s found by her mother, brutally murdered, and it seems her cheating husband isn’t too upset at his loss. The Garda is on the case, will they come to the right conclusion? This is a decently written true crime story about Joe O'Reilly and his wife who is found dead when she fails to pick up their sons from preschool one day. It’s a very bloody scene and of course, the husband claims to have an alibi for the time of the murder. So who could have killed this wife and mother? The author gets a chance to interview the husband, and they meet at the scene. Much of the writing was quite good. Recommend if you like true crime in other countries.
Maverick House 288 pages
Pub: Sep 1st, 2014
My BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
September 12, 2025
I would give this 3.5 stars. It's a quick read but the author still does a lot to provide context (and first person interviews). I'm not rating it higher because it's poorly edited. There are a lot of repeated phrases and anecdotes which should have been cleaned up. Still, very interesting case that I hadn't heard of before.
July 23, 2017
A senseless tragedy
The story of Rachel O'Reilly's brutal murder at the hands of her husband, Joe, is heartbreaking and tragic. The author covered the case from the beginning as a journalist.
Although Joe O'Reilly was convicted on circumstantial evidence, that evidence was overwhelming. It's hard to imagine that anyone else could have murdered Rachel. I'm not sure they ever established a motive although there were several to choose from, but there can be little doubt that the murder was premeditated.
28
The story of Rachel O'Reilly's brutal murder at the hands of her husband, Joe, is heartbreaking and tragic. The author covered the case from the beginning as a journalist.
Although Joe O'Reilly was convicted on circumstantial evidence, that evidence was overwhelming. It's hard to imagine that anyone else could have murdered Rachel. I'm not sure they ever established a motive although there were several to choose from, but there can be little doubt that the murder was premeditated.
28
October 18, 2016
Good
You think you know people..can't imagine how the poor girls family suffered. Well written book. Only annoying thing is sometimes half of the last line of a paragraph would be missing, this happened a few times.
You think you know people..can't imagine how the poor girls family suffered. Well written book. Only annoying thing is sometimes half of the last line of a paragraph would be missing, this happened a few times.
October 17, 2020
This was my first experience with an Irish true crime story. While it's a very well known one in Ireland, it's one I'd never heard of until now. It chronicles the October 4, 2004 murder of Rachel O'Reilly, the trial and eventual conviction of her husband, Joe O'Reilly. While the book doesn't give a lot of backstory to form an emotional attachment to Rachel and Joe, it certainly makes up for that with the details to the trial. Once the trial ended, and conviction handed down, that's where the book ends. This left more questions for me which was disappointing. But overall, I enjoyed the pacing and details. It was a good lunchtime read for me.
August 4, 2017
This was a sad case and one where you could almost, kind of believe he was innocent just because the things he did after the murder were so, so terrible and made him look so, so guilty. It's one of those 'there's no way a guilty man would act so freaking guilty.' There's a certain level you just assume that someone can't go under and then you find one that does.
Like, the blood off his wife was still on the ground and he was taking people to see it after the crime scene people left. If that wasn't bad enough, he reenacted how he "thought" the murderer killed her. He literally got on his knees, pointed out various blood stains, and acted like he was killing her. He did this again and again to who knows how many people. Who does that? I know they say serial killers love to reenact their murders but come on!
And naturally he used the 'she was horrible to my kids and abused them so we couldn't possibly get a divorce! the state would give her full custody of them!' I think this is a particularly cruel thing to do when you actually have kids. Oh, he didn't give two shits about their welfare when he spent half the week or more away for much of their lives but he couldn't possible allow such a mean woman to raise them. He was thinking about the kids! Not the hefty chunk of money he'd get after she died.
You know those kids will grow up and a part of them will always think she died because of him. He's a real piece of work.
Like, the blood off his wife was still on the ground and he was taking people to see it after the crime scene people left. If that wasn't bad enough, he reenacted how he "thought" the murderer killed her. He literally got on his knees, pointed out various blood stains, and acted like he was killing her. He did this again and again to who knows how many people. Who does that? I know they say serial killers love to reenact their murders but come on!
And naturally he used the 'she was horrible to my kids and abused them so we couldn't possibly get a divorce! the state would give her full custody of them!' I think this is a particularly cruel thing to do when you actually have kids. Oh, he didn't give two shits about their welfare when he spent half the week or more away for much of their lives but he couldn't possible allow such a mean woman to raise them. He was thinking about the kids! Not the hefty chunk of money he'd get after she died.
You know those kids will grow up and a part of them will always think she died because of him. He's a real piece of work.
November 4, 2020
This was a very interesting sad story. There were no victors only losers, the 2 little boys left behind. Joe was a definite Narcissistic Psychopath. How he found great glee in reenacting how he believed the crime was committed. He would insist any visitor have a full 'gore' tour. He would even reenact how he believed the crime was committed. What kind of sick individual would do that. In the emails read out in court it was obvious he had zero respect for his wife.
He could have divorced her, he was greedy he wanted the insurance money/kids/lover to start a new life. As usual his other 'woman' stood by him and still does. Why do some women have affairs/marry divorced men etc. I would run a mile from people like that. Cheat once, you will do it again.
One thing I could not understand is: Why did the Police not use Luminol in the shower he was alleged to have cleaned up in after the crime??
I do know that his phone finally caught him out. Obviously he thought he was 'super smart guy', obviously he did not do his research 100%, this was his downfall. I am glad that he was found guilty and given a life sentence. I wish all Rachael family some kind of peace that he was found guilty. I hope the children Luke and Adam follow their Mum and not that evil so called Father.
He could have divorced her, he was greedy he wanted the insurance money/kids/lover to start a new life. As usual his other 'woman' stood by him and still does. Why do some women have affairs/marry divorced men etc. I would run a mile from people like that. Cheat once, you will do it again.
One thing I could not understand is: Why did the Police not use Luminol in the shower he was alleged to have cleaned up in after the crime??
I do know that his phone finally caught him out. Obviously he thought he was 'super smart guy', obviously he did not do his research 100%, this was his downfall. I am glad that he was found guilty and given a life sentence. I wish all Rachael family some kind of peace that he was found guilty. I hope the children Luke and Adam follow their Mum and not that evil so called Father.
August 13, 2020
Same old dance.......
The Suspect is a tragic yet increasingly common true story of a man, his mistress, and his wife of 12 years. The story was very well written and easy to read (from a literary perspective). It takes place in Ireland, which was a first for me. For the most part the translations were smooth and easily understood. The story does not keep you guessing for long, which was pleasantly surprising. Many ”true cime” books try to come off as mysteries (which can be a little insulting to one’s intelligence). I did not develop a favorite ”character” Seems like everyone was a little shady. With the rapid growth of technology, when will these idiots realize they are more than likely going to be caught? And for what? So you can marry your mistress and eventually get sick of her too? AND WAKEUP CALL JOE, Nikki’s ass is a lot fatter than Rachels. I guess psychopathy is just as blind as love.
The Suspect is a tragic yet increasingly common true story of a man, his mistress, and his wife of 12 years. The story was very well written and easy to read (from a literary perspective). It takes place in Ireland, which was a first for me. For the most part the translations were smooth and easily understood. The story does not keep you guessing for long, which was pleasantly surprising. Many ”true cime” books try to come off as mysteries (which can be a little insulting to one’s intelligence). I did not develop a favorite ”character” Seems like everyone was a little shady. With the rapid growth of technology, when will these idiots realize they are more than likely going to be caught? And for what? So you can marry your mistress and eventually get sick of her too? AND WAKEUP CALL JOE, Nikki’s ass is a lot fatter than Rachels. I guess psychopathy is just as blind as love.
January 6, 2017
A marriage gone terribly wrong
Two little boys lost their mother through the violent hands of their father leaving them virtually orphans. This is such a sad ending for all concerned
Two little boys lost their mother through the violent hands of their father leaving them virtually orphans. This is such a sad ending for all concerned
March 16, 2020
Interesting
I didn't like how the author revealed who the killer was before the first chapter. If you want to enjoy this book, I recommend not reading the pages before chapter one until you've read the book. Otherwise it was a good book, but very sad story.
I didn't like how the author revealed who the killer was before the first chapter. If you want to enjoy this book, I recommend not reading the pages before chapter one until you've read the book. Otherwise it was a good book, but very sad story.
April 10, 2023
A good read about the tragic murder of Rachel Callely by her husband Joe. One of Ireland's most famous murder cases it shows the dogged determination of An Garda Siochana to catch her killer and give Rachel's family and friends justice.
March 8, 2017
Sad but true book
This is a very sad true story about a man who murdered his wife. Some parts were hard to get through and drawn out.
This is a very sad true story about a man who murdered his wife. Some parts were hard to get through and drawn out.
May 21, 2017
Interesting
Interesting insight into these ordinary people's lives. Crazy to think how people's opinions could be so opposite to the same story.
Interesting insight into these ordinary people's lives. Crazy to think how people's opinions could be so opposite to the same story.
August 31, 2017
I'm not a fan of true crime and didn't like how this one was written. Thankfully it was short. I only read it for a book club.
January 6, 2018
Quick read.
Could this be another wrongful conviction? Hard for one to determine in this relatively good but short book. Although I think Joe is guilty
Could this be another wrongful conviction? Hard for one to determine in this relatively good but short book. Although I think Joe is guilty
November 17, 2018
Great
Informative edge of your seat reading. I feel like either the Arthur left out spots of the police never investigated. Very good read otherwise.
Informative edge of your seat reading. I feel like either the Arthur left out spots of the police never investigated. Very good read otherwise.
December 2, 2018
Great book
Great book. Couldn't hardly put down. He thought he was going to get away with murder, ha! Glad justice was served.
Great book. Couldn't hardly put down. He thought he was going to get away with murder, ha! Glad justice was served.
March 18, 2019
Very well written, couldn't put it down.
Lots of factorial information and definitely showed both Sides of the story. Very scary to think it could be your neighbor next door
Lots of factorial information and definitely showed both Sides of the story. Very scary to think it could be your neighbor next door
August 27, 2019
Was a good read
July 6, 2020
What an evil bastard, DIVORCE maybe???? Psychopath
September 16, 2020
Great book
Very well written. I was gripped from, the beginning and felt the pain her mother went through finding her daughter deceased.I felt like I knew all the characters.
Very well written. I was gripped from, the beginning and felt the pain her mother went through finding her daughter deceased.I felt like I knew all the characters.
April 12, 2021
A stunning page-turner. The casual"banality of evil" - before and especially after. In ways even more chilling than Truman Capote's classic, In Cold Blood.
July 15, 2022
It was slightly repetitive but otherwise a good read.
May 3, 2024
If you are a fan of true crime cases then you will like this book. It shows how the power of technology can unravel an alibi.
January 31, 2018
Gripping
Excellently written a very unusual case of a seven year itch in the most cruel of ways a must read
Excellently written a very unusual case of a seven year itch in the most cruel of ways a must read
February 21, 2017
Written quite basically. Not a great deal of information in it, would have been better to have a bit more in-depth as to how they actually came to pin it on him, other than the mobile phone link and cameras. Could have been expanded a lot more but it was o.k. Feel sorry for their families.
November 22, 2016
Author Jenny Friel was a newspaper journalist covering the 2004 murder of 30-year-old Rachel O'Reilly in Dublin, Ireland. She interviewed Joe O'Reilly shortly after his wife was killed, and, at first, believed he was not the murderer. Mounting evidence against him changed her mind, however, and eventually she was convinced he was a sociopathic type killer. While all the evidence against him was circumstantial, he was still convicted in 2007 and given a life sentence.
Ms. Friel does an excellent job retelling the story in this book, first published in 2007. It never bogs down, and always keeps the reader wondering what was going to be uncovered next. It was also an interesting look at An Garda Síochána, the Irish police service, and the court system in Dublin. For example, individuals the Garda want to question can be arrested and held for so many hours; and Joe O'Reilly was not locked up until the day a jury found him guilty. My only complaint about this captivating and sad true crime story is that it ended so abruptly, and what happened to the O'Reilly's two young sons was never disclosed. Who got custody of them?
P.S. Rose Callaly, Rachel O'Reilly's mother, also wrote a book about her daughter--Remembering Rachel: The Story of Rachel O'reilly's Life and Brutal Death - By her Mother.
Ms. Friel does an excellent job retelling the story in this book, first published in 2007. It never bogs down, and always keeps the reader wondering what was going to be uncovered next. It was also an interesting look at An Garda Síochána, the Irish police service, and the court system in Dublin. For example, individuals the Garda want to question can be arrested and held for so many hours; and Joe O'Reilly was not locked up until the day a jury found him guilty. My only complaint about this captivating and sad true crime story is that it ended so abruptly, and what happened to the O'Reilly's two young sons was never disclosed. Who got custody of them?
P.S. Rose Callaly, Rachel O'Reilly's mother, also wrote a book about her daughter--Remembering Rachel: The Story of Rachel O'reilly's Life and Brutal Death - By her Mother.
February 21, 2017
An Interesting Read
This is more like a documentary than a novel,but this did not make the book less interesting.
I have never understood what could drive someone to take another person's life,especially someone they professed to love. Wouldn't it be easier to just walk away from the relationship? Guess that is something I will not understand.
This is more like a documentary than a novel,but this did not make the book less interesting.
I have never understood what could drive someone to take another person's life,especially someone they professed to love. Wouldn't it be easier to just walk away from the relationship? Guess that is something I will not understand.
February 6, 2017
Another cheating spouse who, rather than get a divorce, kills his wife and thinks he will get away with it. And of course he gets religion in prison. Predictable, Easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews