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Shadow of Doubt: The Trial of Dennis Oland
On July 6, 2011, Richard Oland, scion of the Moosehead brewing family, was murdered in his office. The brutal killing stunned the city of Saint John, and news of the crime reverberated across the country. In a shocking turn and after a two-and-half-year police investigation, Oland’s only son, Dennis, was arrested for second-degree murder.
CBC reporter Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon covered the Oland case from the beginning. In Shadow of Doubt, she examines the controversial investigation: from the day Richard Oland’s battered body was discovered to the conclusion of Dennis Oland’s trial, including the hotly debated verdict and its aftermath. Meticulously examining the evidence, MacKinnon vividly reconstructs the cases for both the prosecution and the defence. She delves into Oland family history, exploring the strained relationships, infidelities, and financial problems that, according to the Crown, provided motives for murder.
Shadow of Doubt is a revealing look at a sensational crime, the tribulations of a prominent family, and the inner workings of the justice system that led to Dennis Oland’s contentious conviction.
CBC reporter Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon covered the Oland case from the beginning. In Shadow of Doubt, she examines the controversial investigation: from the day Richard Oland’s battered body was discovered to the conclusion of Dennis Oland’s trial, including the hotly debated verdict and its aftermath. Meticulously examining the evidence, MacKinnon vividly reconstructs the cases for both the prosecution and the defence. She delves into Oland family history, exploring the strained relationships, infidelities, and financial problems that, according to the Crown, provided motives for murder.
Shadow of Doubt is a revealing look at a sensational crime, the tribulations of a prominent family, and the inner workings of the justice system that led to Dennis Oland’s contentious conviction.
336 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2016
9 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon
3 books3 followersBOBBI-JEAN MacKINNON is a reporter and web editor for CBC Radio and Television. She has worked at the Telegraph-Journal, the Toronto Star, and the Ottawa Citizen. She has been a finalist for two National Newspaper Awards and three Atlantic Journalism Awards, including one for her early reporting on the Richard Oland murder. She lives in Saint John.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 15, 2020
Five grudging stars, reluctantly given because the author works or worked for the CBC, the state propaganda proliferator.
As far as crime stories written by journalists go, this one is one of the best I've read. About 9 years ago, wealthy businessman Richard Oland was murdered in his office. He was mega-murdered, given enough blows to kill several men and their dogs. Suspicion immediately fell on his son, a man whose finances were in horrible shape and who was in debt to his father. As Dennis Oland stood to benefit from his father's demise, he was interrogated and he increased suspicion by giving conflicting accounts of his movements and actions prior to and after the murder.
The trouble with the case is that there was no evidence to speak of. No murder weapon was recovered. Nothing was taken from the scene except Richard's cellphone, which was never found.
A few drops of blood were found on one of Dennis' jackets, but hardly as much as one would expect to find on a murderer who had whomped someone long, hard and continuously.
Our girl Bobbi-Jean was on hand from the outset, and has constructed a decent book along the same lines as the prosecution: both have little in the way of evidence. The story is interesting because it has a bit of everything else: a millionaire victim, an ungrateful son, an indiscreet mistress, bungling police. Most Canadians already know the outcome of the trial, as did I, but will find it interesting anyway.
No one hates you quite as much as the man who is in your debt.
As far as crime stories written by journalists go, this one is one of the best I've read. About 9 years ago, wealthy businessman Richard Oland was murdered in his office. He was mega-murdered, given enough blows to kill several men and their dogs. Suspicion immediately fell on his son, a man whose finances were in horrible shape and who was in debt to his father. As Dennis Oland stood to benefit from his father's demise, he was interrogated and he increased suspicion by giving conflicting accounts of his movements and actions prior to and after the murder.
The trouble with the case is that there was no evidence to speak of. No murder weapon was recovered. Nothing was taken from the scene except Richard's cellphone, which was never found.
A few drops of blood were found on one of Dennis' jackets, but hardly as much as one would expect to find on a murderer who had whomped someone long, hard and continuously.
Our girl Bobbi-Jean was on hand from the outset, and has constructed a decent book along the same lines as the prosecution: both have little in the way of evidence. The story is interesting because it has a bit of everything else: a millionaire victim, an ungrateful son, an indiscreet mistress, bungling police. Most Canadians already know the outcome of the trial, as did I, but will find it interesting anyway.
No one hates you quite as much as the man who is in your debt.
March 12, 2019
An engaging read and in-depth review of the investigation and (first) trial. I’d recommend to anyone interested in the case or Canada’s judicial system - MacKinnon explains the concepts very clearly. The book provides many answers, but has also brought up many more questions - I can only hope she’ll write another when this retrial is over!
October 14, 2016
Author and CBC reporter Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon states in the Preface:
"As a reporter for CBC News, I covered this case from the day Richard Oland's body was discovered. I attended press conferences, jury selection, numerous court proceedings, and the entire trial."
Such involvement translates into a consummate account of every aspect of the case, especially the trial process. I'm giving this book 5 well-deserved stars. While I wasn't exactly keen to read another book about the Oland trial, I must say that Shadow of Doubt was very impressive to read and wasn't simply a rehashing of already published information.
Full review here: http://miramichireader.ca/2016/10/sha...
"As a reporter for CBC News, I covered this case from the day Richard Oland's body was discovered. I attended press conferences, jury selection, numerous court proceedings, and the entire trial."
Such involvement translates into a consummate account of every aspect of the case, especially the trial process. I'm giving this book 5 well-deserved stars. While I wasn't exactly keen to read another book about the Oland trial, I must say that Shadow of Doubt was very impressive to read and wasn't simply a rehashing of already published information.
Full review here: http://miramichireader.ca/2016/10/sha...
October 3, 2017
Richard Oland was a very popular member of St. John society. He contributed significantly to many initiatives and was very poplar around town. In 2011 he was found bludgeoned to death in his downtown office. The scene was so horrific that it was immediately considered to be a crime of passion. Richard's son Dennis quickly became a suspect and he was eventually tried in a very public forum. Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon does an excellent job of following the trial from its initiation to its completion. As a New Brunswicker, I know that everyone in the province has decided whether or not Dennis is guilty regardless of the trial's outcome. This book should be read by everyone who thinks they know what happened because it places the whole incident under a "Shadow of Doubt". It's a book that will make you think about, discuss, and possibly reconsider everything you have decided based on multiple snippets of media attention. This book is a comprehensive and interesting account of the trial and should not be missed by anyone who cares about the judicial process in Canada. And in real life, the story isn't even finished.
July 29, 2017
Great in-depth account of the entire trial and subsequent events. For anyone who was wondering about some of the items covered by news during the trial, and also many of the items not covered by media and some not revealed during the trial, this book provides some answers. Without assigning a determination by the author of her personal belief, the author provides both sides and backstories for much of the information. Worth a read.
October 14, 2016
An absorbing, comprehensive, and compulsively readable account. Even those who followed every twist and turn from the moment of discovery through to the verdict (and beyond) will find something new in this elegantly written and carefully crafted narrative.
July 26, 2017
An objectively written account of the trial of a man whose guilt or innocence is disagreed upon by many casual observers. A good way to understand our judicial system and recommended for those with an interest in legal proceedings beyond the TV screen.
October 18, 2016
I had hoped for more.
November 6, 2016
The story of Richard Oland's brutal murder and the conviction of his son Dennis is far from over.
Dennis was recently granted bail as he waits for a retrial.
When I started the book, the question I wanted answered was - did he do it? I just finished reading, and I have no idea. I'm glad I wasn't a juror who had to make that decision.
As you're reading Shadow of Doubt, you'll feel like you're sitting in that courtroom in 2015 as a jury hears weeks of testimony and is shown dozens of exhibits.
When you get to the part when the verdict is read out, you can feel the tension and emotions spilling out of the page.
There are still so many questions surrounding the evidence, the police investigation, and information the jury was never given.
I'll be waiting for the retrial to follow along what happens next.
Dennis was recently granted bail as he waits for a retrial.
When I started the book, the question I wanted answered was - did he do it? I just finished reading, and I have no idea. I'm glad I wasn't a juror who had to make that decision.
As you're reading Shadow of Doubt, you'll feel like you're sitting in that courtroom in 2015 as a jury hears weeks of testimony and is shown dozens of exhibits.
When you get to the part when the verdict is read out, you can feel the tension and emotions spilling out of the page.
There are still so many questions surrounding the evidence, the police investigation, and information the jury was never given.
I'll be waiting for the retrial to follow along what happens next.
November 21, 2017
An absolutely fantastic read! MacKinnon did extensive research into the Oland case, which is evident in her incredibly detailed and engaging novel. She delivered a full and clear account of both the investigation and trial without forcing her own opinions into the narrative.
As a Paralegal student, I was most interested in the trial process and legal jargon. MacKinnon explained complex legal terms and concepts correctly, and more importantly, she explained them clearly to the reader. I would highly recommend this novel to those who have heard of the Oland family, and those who know nothing about them. A very engrossing and fast paced novel that I could not stop reading.
As a Paralegal student, I was most interested in the trial process and legal jargon. MacKinnon explained complex legal terms and concepts correctly, and more importantly, she explained them clearly to the reader. I would highly recommend this novel to those who have heard of the Oland family, and those who know nothing about them. A very engrossing and fast paced novel that I could not stop reading.
November 20, 2016
Not a happy book, any way you look at it. What happened that night in an upstairs office in downtown Saint John will likely never be known for sure. But, Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon gives us a quick paced narrative that lays out the facts, foibles, and half-truths of this sad story in my hometown. Her writing is spare and yet evocative of place, and her treatment is balanced and non-judgmental.
February 2, 2017
Definitive work - incredibly thorough and impeccably fair. It's a fascinating story of big-money murder and small-town intrigue. Not normally a true crime fan or a fast reader but was captivated by this story and demolished this well-written book in about four days.
June 28, 2017
Local story. Know some of the principal people in the novel. Interesting insofar as the police missteps. Knew most of the story by newspaper accounts of the murder and the subsequent trial...this was more or less a rehash of that.
August 28, 2017
Liked the content, the style was a bit choppy and boring... court procedures and what not. Tough when no one will talk to you, I guess. Will follow the retrial with interest though!
And I have no idea if he did it.
And I have no idea if he did it.
September 6, 2017
MacKinnon provides a comprehensive review of Richard Oland's violent death, the police investigation and trial of his son Dennis.
December 4, 2020
A fascinating and impartial account of the trial of Dennis Oland. Normally, true crime does not hold much interest for me, but this case caught my attention. I grew up in the Saint John area, and as it is mentioned many times in the book, the murder of Richard Oland was frequently discussed amongst Saint Johners (and New Brunswickers too) for years. During the trial, I would read the live tweets by Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon and all the articles. Years later, I decided to read this book, Shadow of Doubt . The book goes into great detail of every aspect of the trial giving the reader a full portrait of the evidence and all those involved in the trial. Although the book is a bit repetitive, not because of the author's writing, but because of the nature of the testimonies, I found myself puzzled once again by the strange turn of events. I am no close to knowing who murdered Richard Oland once I finished the book than when I started. The author did not attempt to sway the reader in any shape or form (the mark of good journalism), nor present her views on the trial. For that reason, I believe that anyone interested in the Oland trial should read Shadow of a Doubt .
January 10, 2022
The author, a CBC reporter, covered the trial. MacKinnon gave the background of the Oland family - many generations back to the present time. We discovered that Richard Oland was really not a very nice man. The book outlines from the day of the death - July 6, 2011, the investigation by the Saint John's policy, the arrest of Oland (late fall of 2013), the preliminary inquiry in 2014 (to have a trial), to the trial starting September 2015, to the verdict and what happened afterwards. One discovers that there were many mistakes made, and many questions that were not answered. One doubts the integrity of the process. I enjoyed the book but wished that it had an index. Many people were named and I had to go back to reread who they were and how they fit into the Dennis Oland Saga.
What is interesting as a Canadian is we were very much aware of this murder and the trial.
What is interesting as a Canadian is we were very much aware of this murder and the trial.
December 29, 2018
Easily one of my favourite books of the year. As the average citizen it can be easy to look at the justice system with rose coloured glasses but I am learning as a law student it can be anything but just or straight forward. This book was exceptionally well written, giving a fair and apparently unbiased recount of the evidence and testimony given in the trial allowing the reader to form an opinion, almost as though they were sitting on the jury. I was disappointed to read about the many procedural errors and even charter violations by the SJPD, making this case a provincial embarrassment.
January 8, 2020
I had always been interested in knowing more about what happened in this case and was intrigued to read this after hearing about it from a friend who had read it. It reads like a good murder mystery; only it’s a true story! One of the most sensational crimes in the Maritimes in years. It was interesting to hear about the police investigation but also about the family dynamics, the money and the conflict, in the Oland family and the roles these may have played. At times, I could not put it down.
November 18, 2020
A balanced and readable account of the trial written by a journalist who covered the story from the beginning. So much was in limbo at the time the book was written, it was difficult for the author to have an analysis of the case, e.g. the inquiry into the police investigation. There's a revised edition of this book, which hopefully covers the re-trial and the resulting not guilty verdict.
August 14, 2023
I do wish I read the updated version instead. But while waiting for the updated version to arrive from Indigo, I found a copy of this edition at a thrift store with a funny faux inscription inside (I am happy to share a pic, unfortunately I can’t do so here). Alas, a great overview of the first trial. Found it difficult to put it down.
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November 11, 2020honestly this book took me way too long to read just by the way it was written?? so idk if I should even give it a rating since its nonfiction and close to home... am i annoyed with the verdict? with the appeal? with oland himself? with the way mackinnon wrote? no idea but thank god i’m done lmao
February 25, 2023
I really appreciate how the author was able to neatly tie together the massive amounts of evidence into a narrative for the reader - I can appreciate what a huge task that would be for any court proceeding, let alone one with the volume of documents and witnesses for this trial!
January 25, 2019
A bit disjointed but a very good telling of an infamous Canadian murder. I lean towards the decision of the jury but will leave it at that.
July 11, 2021
Couldn't put it down!!
January 14, 2024
This book is so well-written that I couldn't decide if Dennis Oland was guilty or innocent. The author details both sides of the trial so meticulously and objectively - a truly fascinating read!
April 24, 2025
a captivating read, not the least of which because my mother grew up around KV/Rothesay and lives there today.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews