A Devil in the Valley

By: Paul Holes, Peter McDonnell

Narrated by: Jim Clemente, Paul Holes

This is a true story.

In 1994, an aspiring young cold-case investigator in California’s East Bay, Paul Holes, puts aside trying to solve the Golden State Killer case as he waits for science to catch up.

Paul returns to an old file cabinet at the back of the forensic lab to look for another cold case he can work—something with DNA. He finds one. The 1978 murder of a married mother who went for a morning jog in a nearby park. The original investigators believed that a serial killer named Phillip Hughes was responsible; they just couldn’t prove it. But Hughes was headed to prison for three other local homicides, all because of an unexpected break in those cases. Without it, Hughes might have gotten away with everything. In the years since though, as Hughes sat in prison, so did his secrets. And now he’s coming up for parole.

In a race against time, Paul commits to solving the 1978 cold case before Hughes is let out. The victim’s family needs an answer. And, if Paul can prove that Hughes is the killer, he’ll use it as leverage to force Hughes to confess to everything else he may have done.

Little does Paul know, however, that the 1978 cold case he opens will take an unexpected turn, lead to other cases and killers he never knew about, and haunt him for his entire career. It turns out that the small towns of Contra Costa County were home to a more sinister history than anyone had imagined. But the clues didn’t disappear. They just needed the right person, at the right time, to see them.

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Very well handled discussion of a difficult topic

I’m just so impressed with this series! It makes you deeply understand the trauma that victims and their families experience when a serial killer strikes. I was also very happy to see the victims placed front and centre. And how coercive control prevented a witness from coming forward for so long. Strongly strongly recommended!

Fascinating stories

I am very impressed with the dedication of the people still trying to solve these murders. My heart goes out to the families and friends of all victims. Great job in preventing then to us all!

it puts the world in perspective

This audible just puts in perspective how big this world is. How people can be so cold blooded. It is chilling to hear the stories.

Closure

Paul Holes and associates are tireless in pursuit of answers for these cold cases. It is clear that loved ones are still traumatized/haunted by these senseless murders. This was eye-opening in terms of sentencing guidelines in the seventies. What a slap in the face to the families. This story was interesting and well written.

great listen!

only halfway through - been binging since this morning (as soon as I saw the announcement on Paul Holes's IG)! This is a local story that I've never heard about till now, and I love hearing old cases that Paul used to work.

Stuck the landing

Authors, narrators and every family member added authenticity beyond compare. The heartbreak for these family members to this day is difficult for even the reader. Holes and Clemente are priceless in the work they have done to help convict vile people and the education they give along the way is clear in every way. These two are heroes and have sacrificed so much for our greater community and anything they author is always two thumbs up from me. Thank you.

Really great!

I’m bingeing this podcast and love the way it’s narrated as well as the inclusion of victims families. It’s an important way to remember the victims, that they were real people not just a story.

Tragic story but as a society we learn from these.

very informative and well done with respect to the families of the victims. Very sad events.

Paul is my favorite

This podcast is just perfect. Congrats to Paul and to Jim on a fabulous podcast.

Quickly captivating, easy listen

Caught my interest quickly, held my interest through all episodes. narration was easy to listen to and follow.