The Suspect

A True Story of Love, Marriage, Betrayal and Murder

By: Jenny Friel

Narrated by: Christina Delaine

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.

©2007 Jenny Friel (P)2017 Tantor

Pretty Good But Not Too Suspenseful

This book is basic for True Crime Aficionados.
Not sure why the author reveals the killer in the first chapter; almost no readers outside Ireland or the UK will have heard of this story.
If the suspense is built in to the killer’s motive, the truth is that we can never fully understand why a person resorts to murder.
It is written well enough, and I listen to it at night once in bed; though I keep falling asleep and then have to rewind the next day.

Fair story

Narration and accents were very good. There was really no surprise or depth. You knew from beginning her husband did it and would be convicted. I’m glad her story was told at any rate. Shedding light on the hatefulness that led to a sisters, daughters and most devastating-mothers death in the cruelest of manner should be told! The man is sick!

Accents and Mispronounced Words

What was the purpose of the accents? The narrator spoke American English. Yes, the story took place in Ireland but the accents were annoying and tedious. And, as a narrator speaking with an American English accent, why does she consistently pronounce “mobile” as “mo-BYE-al?” It’s not pronounced that way either here or in Ireland.

Good story/horrible narrator

The story is interesting. The narrator when reading quotes switched to a scratchy old lady in a horrible irish accent. It was hard to get through.

Only Half the Story.

This was such an underwhelming, under reported book. We knew immediately who did it and there no mysteries along the way. When a wrinkle did pop up late in the book, it wasn’t followed.

This story could have been told in a paragraph.

A story with a known ending should be compelling; filled with details the headlines may have missed. This was dull.