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While She Slept
When Jill Cahill was leaving to return home after visiting with her family for a week, she turned to her sister with a grin, and "If Jeff kills me, you can have all my things." A few days later, she was in a coma in a Syracuse hospital, her skull shattered by a savage beating inflicted by her 37-year-old husband. Six months later, she was dead.
Jeff and Jill Cahill seemed to have it all. Two kids, a dog, a nice house of the picket fence variety. But their relationship wasn't as happy as it seemed. Jeff and Jill had been having serious financial problems and were headed towards divorce, legally separated but living in the same house until Jill could afford to move out.
But on April 21, 1996 Jeff and Jill had a torrid argument while their kids were upstairs sleeping. In the aftermath, Jeff claimed that his wife had started stabbing him with a kitchen knife-and that was the reason for his taking a Louisville slugger straight to her head. She lay in a coma for nearly six months, and just as she started to show signs of coming out of it... she received a visitor.
On October 27th of that same year, staffers at the University Hospital in Syracuse New York, noticed a strange-looking guy lurking in the hallway wearing a wig and outdoor boots. When Jill's nurse went to check on her patient, she found her gasping for air, with bruises around her mouth, and white powder (later to be determined as cyanide) flecked across her chest.
Jeff and Jill Cahill seemed to have it all. Two kids, a dog, a nice house of the picket fence variety. But their relationship wasn't as happy as it seemed. Jeff and Jill had been having serious financial problems and were headed towards divorce, legally separated but living in the same house until Jill could afford to move out.
But on April 21, 1996 Jeff and Jill had a torrid argument while their kids were upstairs sleeping. In the aftermath, Jeff claimed that his wife had started stabbing him with a kitchen knife-and that was the reason for his taking a Louisville slugger straight to her head. She lay in a coma for nearly six months, and just as she started to show signs of coming out of it... she received a visitor.
On October 27th of that same year, staffers at the University Hospital in Syracuse New York, noticed a strange-looking guy lurking in the hallway wearing a wig and outdoor boots. When Jill's nurse went to check on her patient, she found her gasping for air, with bruises around her mouth, and white powder (later to be determined as cyanide) flecked across her chest.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 28, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 16, 2017
Very insightful
This book was very well written and informative but had no pictures. When I read true crime I like to see who's being discussed. I like to have pictures of the places described and the crime scene involved. Pictures make a good true crime book into a great true crime book.
This book was very well written and informative but had no pictures. When I read true crime I like to see who's being discussed. I like to have pictures of the places described and the crime scene involved. Pictures make a good true crime book into a great true crime book.
August 1, 2017
The author plays all her cards at the outset which makes for a rather slow march to the finish, and by then I had heard much of the information two or three times. I preferred her later book BLACK WIDOW.
February 28, 2017
This was a really heartbreaking story about a husband who tried to kill his wife and didnt quite get the job done and came back later to finish it. This is not a spoiler. It says it on the back cover. The story is interesting but the trial is mostly repetition. But oh, the typos. Why arent books proof-read any more? This was a quick read.
February 24, 2019
Good book but .....
I live in the Syracuse, NY area and remember this case very well.
The story is told well, but I took off 2 stars due to all of the grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
I live in the Syracuse, NY area and remember this case very well.
The story is told well, but I took off 2 stars due to all of the grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
February 28, 2025
Immaturity. When we think of it we think of the guy/girl who never grew up or the person who peaked in high school.
But for the women on this page and in the world it’s the guy who can’t take responsibility for his inaction.
Which brings me to this case. This is a father who mercilessly beat his children’s mother in front of them almost to death. Then This is a tragic case which should have never gone this far as if the hospital actually protected this woman or a police officer was outside her room she wouldn’t be dead.
Now there was some hint that the husband might be gay with an overbearing religious mother and I can see it but he didn’t want to lose control which is what we always see in these cases.
Good book, recommend it.
But for the women on this page and in the world it’s the guy who can’t take responsibility for his inaction.
Which brings me to this case. This is a father who mercilessly beat his children’s mother in front of them almost to death. Then This is a tragic case which should have never gone this far as if the hospital actually protected this woman or a police officer was outside her room she wouldn’t be dead.
Now there was some hint that the husband might be gay with an overbearing religious mother and I can see it but he didn’t want to lose control which is what we always see in these cases.
Good book, recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2019
Book was full of typos/misspellings and little inaccuracies. Those made me wonder how accurate the rest of the story was. Also, too many character names popping in and out, making it difficult to follow. The mother's name, at one point, switched from Joan to June. Whatever happened to editors?
July 16, 2019
A disturbing story of justice denied to a vibrant young woman!
The book is poorly written. Consists of interviews which are hard to follow. Many times the dialogue runs on between several people with no acknowledgement of who is speaking.
The book is poorly written. Consists of interviews which are hard to follow. Many times the dialogue runs on between several people with no acknowledgement of who is speaking.
April 13, 2018
A devastating murder case
This is a well-written and well-researched story about how Jeff Cahill brutally attacked his wife, Jill, with an aluminum bat while their young children watched. Then, having called members of his family to his home, they left her on the floor near death without calling for an ambulance.
It is also a story about the failure and negligence of law enforcement and the judicial system to do the right thing.
5
This is a well-written and well-researched story about how Jeff Cahill brutally attacked his wife, Jill, with an aluminum bat while their young children watched. Then, having called members of his family to his home, they left her on the floor near death without calling for an ambulance.
It is also a story about the failure and negligence of law enforcement and the judicial system to do the right thing.
5
June 8, 2019
I'm giving up reading this book because it doesn't make any sense to me, there's so many names and it all seems to be going over my head.
I feel like the author/editor could have edited it a lot better and make it more readable because although the first chapter was really good, I was completely lost by the second and lost all interest by the third because of how messy the second was. It doesn't give a good vibe for the rest of the book.
I feel like the author/editor could have edited it a lot better and make it more readable because although the first chapter was really good, I was completely lost by the second and lost all interest by the third because of how messy the second was. It doesn't give a good vibe for the rest of the book.
October 3, 2010
Interesting case, but the author seemed compelled to fill the book with so much random detail that had no apparent relation to the case at hand. More interviews would have made the book more impactful. As it stands, it's a tragic story that lacks an emotional punch. I suspect a TV version on one of those true-crime-solving shows would be more gripping.
February 26, 2019
A (mostly) very well done story about a pretty heinous crime - an excellent read, among some of the most engaging true crime books I've ever read. Easily 4.5 stars. Not quite 5 due to various typos and errors throughout that were a little distracting.
November 7, 2025
I'm a bit of a true crime junkie, and this had my interest. It's a story I hadn't heard of, so I was interested in reading it. I barely got a chapter in, and I was already having problems with it.
One of the things I learned, as a journalist, is that people don't talk as concisely and grammatically perfect as they think they do. Not everything has to be a direct quote, yet this book has pages of them. Pages. Pages of people talking, how people speak with no punctuation, no clarifications, no succinctness to help you keep up with who they were talking about. None of the long quotes were properly indented, and with only one attribution for every very long quote, everything had to be read more than once to ensure I was clear on what was being said and who they were referring to.
I don't know what so much superfluous material was at the beginning. We are talking about a crime and the impact it had on the New York criminal justice system, and we're starting with biographies from birth to death in every little tiny detail. That's not necessary. Tell us who the players are, give us the cliff notes version, and then get on to the account we all thought we were going to be reading when we picked up the book.
I really didn't enjoy the book. It was poorly written, and I eventually Googled the case, so I knew how it all ended before finishing the book, so I wouldn't have to worry about ongoing confusion. Do yourselves a favor and just look up the news stories if you want to know what this story was all about.
One of the things I learned, as a journalist, is that people don't talk as concisely and grammatically perfect as they think they do. Not everything has to be a direct quote, yet this book has pages of them. Pages. Pages of people talking, how people speak with no punctuation, no clarifications, no succinctness to help you keep up with who they were talking about. None of the long quotes were properly indented, and with only one attribution for every very long quote, everything had to be read more than once to ensure I was clear on what was being said and who they were referring to.
I don't know what so much superfluous material was at the beginning. We are talking about a crime and the impact it had on the New York criminal justice system, and we're starting with biographies from birth to death in every little tiny detail. That's not necessary. Tell us who the players are, give us the cliff notes version, and then get on to the account we all thought we were going to be reading when we picked up the book.
I really didn't enjoy the book. It was poorly written, and I eventually Googled the case, so I knew how it all ended before finishing the book, so I wouldn't have to worry about ongoing confusion. Do yourselves a favor and just look up the news stories if you want to know what this story was all about.
April 29, 2018
Monster
Jeff Cahill was a ticking time bomb. His mother and her "Catholic" parenting created this monster. She should be in prison too. Everything about this repressed psychopath is monstrous. The author really stayed as neutral as possible when reporting this tragedy. Had he wanted to, he could have researched the Cahills and Jeff's past and exposed his homosexuality, which would have degraded and embarrassed Mrs. Cahill. That fact is sickening to me. She has more respect for her son as a cold blooded murderer than she would if he was a well adjusted gay man. I am pleased that James Cahill remains in prison for at least 17 more years. I hope he doesn't get parole at that time. He should never be in society again .
Jeff Cahill was a ticking time bomb. His mother and her "Catholic" parenting created this monster. She should be in prison too. Everything about this repressed psychopath is monstrous. The author really stayed as neutral as possible when reporting this tragedy. Had he wanted to, he could have researched the Cahills and Jeff's past and exposed his homosexuality, which would have degraded and embarrassed Mrs. Cahill. That fact is sickening to me. She has more respect for her son as a cold blooded murderer than she would if he was a well adjusted gay man. I am pleased that James Cahill remains in prison for at least 17 more years. I hope he doesn't get parole at that time. He should never be in society again .
September 29, 2018
Couldn't put it down!
Couldn't put it down! I read it in one sitting. The criminal justice system is so flawed. I was raped in 2001 and the monster. was found guilty but he has lived 3 doors down from me for the past 9 years
I am a widow with no family and only 3 friends still alive. I am 73 on a fixed income and can't lift anything over a half gallon of milk. I have no money or no strength to move. The monster in this book probably has 'more freedoms than I do. Why are no politicians talking about the totally unfair criminal justice system ? Good read.
Couldn't put it down! I read it in one sitting. The criminal justice system is so flawed. I was raped in 2001 and the monster. was found guilty but he has lived 3 doors down from me for the past 9 years
I am a widow with no family and only 3 friends still alive. I am 73 on a fixed income and can't lift anything over a half gallon of milk. I have no money or no strength to move. The monster in this book probably has 'more freedoms than I do. Why are no politicians talking about the totally unfair criminal justice system ? Good read.
February 21, 2019
While She Slept
This book appears to be an accurate depiction of this horrendous crime. It was difficult to put down. It raised awareness even today, more than 20 years after Jill was murdered, of the concept of privilege within the justice system, and the inequalities that continue to exist. This killer was able to be free to enjoy his life as his victim struggled to recover. And with this freedom, he was able to develop and carry out a plan to complete his assault on his victim by murdering her in her hospital bed. A very thought provoking book.
This book appears to be an accurate depiction of this horrendous crime. It was difficult to put down. It raised awareness even today, more than 20 years after Jill was murdered, of the concept of privilege within the justice system, and the inequalities that continue to exist. This killer was able to be free to enjoy his life as his victim struggled to recover. And with this freedom, he was able to develop and carry out a plan to complete his assault on his victim by murdering her in her hospital bed. A very thought provoking book.
June 17, 2022
The subject of this book is so brutal and sad, there is no denying that... but my low rating is for how the author writes. Everything felt convoluted and all over the place. Within the 1st few chapters she wrote of multiple people in the book as if we somehow knew who they were without even introducing them. There were also a few times where she misused Diane's name when instead talking about her mother! I had to go back and read the sentences multiple times to understand that it was in fact the author that messed it up. Very annoying read.
June 30, 2017
Not Every Christian Is Christ Like
I couldn't put this book down. It's so sad for what happened to Julie, the perfect mom and spouse, married to such an evil and disgusting person. It's hard to understand how he comes from a religious household and be so evil. To make it more disgusting his family condones his behavior. This is a story that I would like to hear a psychiatrist analyze.
I couldn't put this book down. It's so sad for what happened to Julie, the perfect mom and spouse, married to such an evil and disgusting person. It's hard to understand how he comes from a religious household and be so evil. To make it more disgusting his family condones his behavior. This is a story that I would like to hear a psychiatrist analyze.
February 24, 2018
Some small justice
The legal system fails us again when it allows a husband accused of a vicious and brutal beating to roam free on parole while he connives and ultimately succeeds in finishing off his hospitalized wife. Shockingly his educated and strongly religious family appears to support him in these efforts going so far as attempting to conceal evidence. One of the best written works in this genre.
The legal system fails us again when it allows a husband accused of a vicious and brutal beating to roam free on parole while he connives and ultimately succeeds in finishing off his hospitalized wife. Shockingly his educated and strongly religious family appears to support him in these efforts going so far as attempting to conceal evidence. One of the best written works in this genre.
October 3, 2025
I thought this would be an interesting read the first chapter did have me hooked, however I really struggled after that and sadly I haven’t finished it. There are far to many people mentioned in the book some with nick names and some who aren’t even relevant, then there are many typos or sentences that don’t even make sense. It’s really hard to keep up with if it was better written I would persevere however I don’t think I can which is a shame.
November 11, 2025
Wow
Evil does walk among us. To say I enjoyed this book would be perverse, however I am happy that her story is being told. Jill was from a place very close to my hometown. As one of our own this really hit home. My prayers are with the children who were robbed of their parents and their childhood.
Cowards hide behind religion and think they are untouchable, I hope the universe dishes out what every single Cahill family member deserves.
Evil does walk among us. To say I enjoyed this book would be perverse, however I am happy that her story is being told. Jill was from a place very close to my hometown. As one of our own this really hit home. My prayers are with the children who were robbed of their parents and their childhood.
Cowards hide behind religion and think they are untouchable, I hope the universe dishes out what every single Cahill family member deserves.
October 29, 2025
3.5/5 This was quite a good true crime story. What Jill endured was horrific. What a strong woman she was to fight so hard to survive, which made the second attack even more heartbreaking.
I just couldn’t get my head around Jeff and his motives. Truly evil person.
The book does drag a little, particularly in the earlier chapters.
I just couldn’t get my head around Jeff and his motives. Truly evil person.
The book does drag a little, particularly in the earlier chapters.
November 12, 2025
This book kept me interested. I could NOT believe how many mistakes were made by authorities and others involved. This poor woman, included. While the crime was horrific in nature and really hard to believe the perpetrator got away with it, I wanted a bit more background to make sense of everything.
November 29, 2025
THIS WAS HARD FOR ME TO READ IT WAS SAD SUCH A TRAGETY. I DID'NT CARE FOR THE WRITING STYLE VERY CONFUSING TRYING TO KEEP WITH WHO THE AUTHOR WAS REFERING TO, WITH SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE STORY. SOME OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS WERE HORRIBLE, IT'S FRIGHTENING TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE STILL HERE AMONG US. I WISH THE BOOK HAD SOME PICTURES (which I prefer), I THINK THE OUTCOME WAS REALLY, REALLY UNFAIR. ;>
August 25, 2017
Most horrendous Crime Ever
Well written. Kudos to the author for his delicate dramatization. I can imagine what he went through while telling this story. More needs to be done to protect battered women and children.
Well written. Kudos to the author for his delicate dramatization. I can imagine what he went through while telling this story. More needs to be done to protect battered women and children.
December 14, 2017
Interesting
I had seen this story on Forty-Eight Hours or Dateline but this book fills in so many more details. TV could not convey all this woman suffered or the true evil of this man.
I had seen this story on Forty-Eight Hours or Dateline but this book fills in so many more details. TV could not convey all this woman suffered or the true evil of this man.
September 11, 2018
No Mercy for grieving families
The courts in New York took a cowards way and left the death penalty in the dust, along with the rights of the victim and her family. If scum are allowed to continue to beat and kill their families, then we are no better than animals. Great book
The courts in New York took a cowards way and left the death penalty in the dust, along with the rights of the victim and her family. If scum are allowed to continue to beat and kill their families, then we are no better than animals. Great book
February 21, 2019
I couldn’t put it down, especially since I’m from the area. I grew up in Camillus. I was intrigued but sickened by the facts of this case. Jeff Cahill is a monster. His mother is just as horrible. A Catholic hypocrite. I hope Jeff does not get paroled. Jill was a beautiful woman. Simply horrendous.
March 26, 2019
So very sad
A tragic story I hope Jill's family and children found some peace after dealing with this tragedy. Jill sounded like a strong woman great daughter and sister and an amazing Mom.
A tragic story I hope Jill's family and children found some peace after dealing with this tragedy. Jill sounded like a strong woman great daughter and sister and an amazing Mom.
May 30, 2025
I picked this up and didn’t want to put it down!
It had a connection to me since my husband worked with Jill’s sister.
Wonderfully written, very descriptive, and the turmoil Jill experienced was beyond fathoming.
It had a connection to me since my husband worked with Jill’s sister.
Wonderfully written, very descriptive, and the turmoil Jill experienced was beyond fathoming.
September 20, 2025
Solid true crime novel. The murderer was particularly heinous and a great example of a sociopath. I wish the state had been able to give him the death penalty. He deserved it. The book is well-researched and written. Recommended for true crime fans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews