Remembering Rachel: A True Story Of Betrayal And Murder

by Rose Callaly

The day Rose Callaly found her daughter Rachel's battered body was only the start of her nightmares.

Shortly afterwards Rose became certain that the person who had killed her beautiful daughter was Rachel's husband, Joe O'Reilly. After what seemed like an eternity, O'Reilly was charged. But that was the start of another ordeal - the revelation of just how much he despised his wife and the unfolding of his ingenious plan to kill her, a plan that set Rose up to discover the murder scene.

Remembering Rachel is the shocking and heart-breaking story of Rachel Callaly's short life and brutal death. It is also a remarkable account of what it is like to be at the heart of a sensational and tragic murder case. And finally, it is a touching portrait of motherly love and the bond that survives death.

Genres: True Crime

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2009

Reviews

[Ann Marie Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a devastating true story. Most will remember that late late show episode where Joe appeared to help find the murderer next to Rachel's mom, who wrote this book. How cheeky he was to use it for fame, giving people The Tour of the crime scene and describe the murder. His actions were clearly a sign of a killer but his manipulation can make you second guess his actions. This whole book describes his vicious manipulation of Rachel her whole life and the events of her murder. Although her mother will never know the full extent of his abuse, it gives the reader an account as close as possible. I couldnt believe how kind she was in describing him. It shows she was such a lovely woman. It is hard to read but also necessary to recognise there are people like this out there.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written account of a tragic loss.

I saw a TV programme of this case on YouTube, quite a while back. I think it was mentioned that her mum had written a book....or maybe I googled to see if further info about this devastating crime, and found out about Rose's writing there? Anyway, this terrible crime had stayed with me, totally unimaginable what the victim's family have gone through, and continue to.

I can't imagine how hard this must have been to write.  She tells of Rachel's life, and memories they have of her, as well as the tragic circumstances.

Well-written and absolutely heart-breaking. 

[Suzanne Toomey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the tragic story of beautiful Rachel Callely brutally murdered by her husband so he could start a new life with his mistress. Written by Rachel's heartbroken mother Rose it tells of the devastating affect Rachel's murder had on their very close knit family and their fight for justice to see her killer sentenced to life behind bars. A very sad but worthwhile read demonstrating the fantastic work done by An Garda Siochana, the forensics that sealed Joe's faith and their efforts to pursue justice for Rachel.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperately sad. Any person's worst nightmare.