A Killing on the Hill

A Thriller

De: Robert Dugoni

Narrado por: Robert Dugoni

A gripping new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

The Great Depression. High-level corruption. And a murder that’s about to become Seattle’s hottest mystery. It’s the kind of story that can make a reporter’s career. If he lives to write about it.

Seattle, 1933. The city is in the grips of the Great Depression, Prohibition, and vice. Cutting his teeth on a small-time beat, hungry and ambitious young reporter William “Shoe” Shumacher gets a tip that could change his career. There’s been a murder at a social club on Profanity Hill—an underworld magnet for vice crimes only a privileged few can afford. The story is going to be front-page news, and Shoe is the first reporter on the scene.

The victim, Frankie Ray, is a former prizefighter. His accused killer? Club owner and mobster George Miller, who claims he pulled the trigger in self-defense. Soon the whole town’s talking, and Shoe’s first homicide is fast becoming the Trial of the Century. The more Shoe digs, the more he’s convinced nothing is as it seems. Not with a tangle of conflicting stories, an unlikely motive, and witnesses like Ray’s girlfriend, a glamour girl whose pretty lips are sealed. For now.

In a city steeped in Old West debauchery, Shoe’s following every lead to a very dangerous place—one that could bring him glory and fame or end his life.

©2024 La Mesa Fiction LLC. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“The elements of a scandalous crime are everywhere: a dubiously employed moll who could be a ringer for Jean Harlow, a former boxer with big money problems, a nattily dressed gangster insisting he shot his assailant in self-defense and the illegal nightclub whose patrons are rumored to include the mayor, various council members and even the chief of police.”—Alida Becker, New York Times Book Review

“William’s romantic coming of age takes up almost as many pages as his journalistic work, giving parts of A Killing on the Hill a poignant sweetness reminiscent of Thornton Wilder. But William’s forays into his new hometown’s shadier regions are as hard-boiled as any pulp-magazine novella.”—Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

"Dugoni scores a decisive win with this tale of greed, lust, and bloodshed: it’s chock-full of expertly drawn characters and plenty of historical lore, and its note-perfect noir atmosphere could accommodate James Cagney. Here’s hoping this gets the series treatment.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Grit and Desperation

Robert Dugoni has a way of drawing you into his stories. For this novel set in the depression, grit and desperation are practically their own characters.

Great Story Line

As expected, another fantastic book by Mr. Dugoni. The story was interesting, and unique. Even a couple interesting surprises. Looking forward his next book.

Great characters

The author did a magnificent job of character voicing…. My first inclination was he might not be able to do so. 

Great tale of seedy '30s Seatle

Really enjoyed this story and it's "pulpy" feel from the perspective of a newspaper man instead of a hard boiled detective or Private Eye. I don't read many mysteries so it was intriguing enough for me and not too predictable.

Captivating Story

Excellent characterization. Good portrayal of the 30’s in Seattle. The story is well written and was hard to put aside for other activities.

Heart warming “Who done it” story.

How refreshing to find honesty in a dishonest world. Maybe there is still hope. Hard to put down. Recommended read!!

Multi-Talented Author and Narator

Mr. Dugoni, I had no idea you could narrate so well. The book was interesting and your narration was beyond great. It is the best I have listened to with multiple characters and one narrator. Eduardo Ballerini is good, but you do the female voices a lot better than he. I am so proud of you. I had one credit and I saved it for you.

The difference in people's expectations.

I loved experiencing the way things were in the 30's. It was quite the eye opener. Interesting story too. Well worth the credit. I hated for it to end, even though I appreciated the ending

I loved it!

I love Robert Dugoni. He is absolutely wonderful and he is one of my favorite authors. I started reading him when I discovered his Tracey Crosswhite series and I’ve been hooked ever since. This book isn’t like his typical books but I still really enjoyed it. The characters were well written and I really found myself rooting for Shoe. The time period is interesting and I can recommend this book or author enough! Robert Dugoni did a pretty good job with the narration as well. Overall this was a very entertaining and enjoyable listen.

Story slow moving

I found the narration insufferable. Couldn’t finish the book. Only got as far a chapter 11.