The Cyanide Canary

A True Story of Injustice

By: Robert Dugoni, Joseph Hilldorfer

Narrated by: Tom Perkins

Early in the morning on August 27, 1996, 20-year-old Scott Dominguez showed up for an ordinary day at the fertilizing plant where he worked. By 11:00 am, he was clinging to life, unconscious and suffocating from toxic exposure to cyanide in a tank that was supposed to contain only mud and water.

EPA Special Agent Joseph Hilldorfer was tasked with finding out what really happened on that horrific day in Soda Springs, Idaho, but the answers would not be easily uncovered. For more than four years, Hilldorfer, his partner Bob Wojnicz, and a force of top-ranking US attorneys struggled to expose the disturbing truths behind the tragedy, but would their efforts be enough to put the man responsible, Allan Elias, behind bars?

©2004 Joseph Hilldorfer and La Mesa Literary LLC (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[An] electrically charged narrative...Top-notch nonfiction legal thriller, reminding readers of the baseline: 'This all comes down to one thing. It's all about money.'" ( Kirkus)

Thank goodness these guys exist and do their jobs so well!

Not my typical read. Very glad I picked this book. It is not a page-turner BUT it is educational AND it makes you appreciate the people whose jobs are to look out for the victim and the public, in the broadest sense.

Good on you, Hilldorfer, great job!

Fascinating story!

This is a great, well- researched book! Love the dedication to handling this true story. Fantastic authors.
Narrator is good too- but the mispronunciation of the local city and regional landmarks is driving me nuts. I’ll return and switch to kindle.

The struggles to get someone committed for an environmental crime

What someone will do in order to enrich themselves. Lives of employees are endangered. Something that could have been avoided by taking proper precautions. With this sample given it makes you wonder what it would be today with the reduction of environmental controls.

Courtroom drama about toxic chemical waste

This was OK. It passed the time while I did chores. It was a drama about toxic chemical waste & the court proceedings to prosecute the offender. Since I live in an area with a lot of chemical plants it was interesting as I've seen this happen often in the area during the 80s and 90s. If you like court room dramas this will fit the bill.

Audible Format Not Optimal For This Book

Is there anything you would change about this book?

There was too much detail- especially for an audiobook. Too many digressions from the main case, technical details, agencies, and people. I found myself getting lost and unable to focus on the narrative.

What other book might you compare The Cyanide Canary to and why?

I just listened to "The Devil in the Grove", a book about racial injustice in Florida in the 1940's. The main case was about 4 young Black men accused of raping a white woman, and how they were viciously framed and abused. Although this type of phenomenon was common, the author was able to both detail the historical context and characters' without constantly abandoning the main gut wrenching story. The Cyanide canary did not succeed in this way.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Tom Perkins?

No problem with narrator.

Could you see The Cyanide Canary being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It's a worthwhile story, but would need major editing.

Any additional comments?

A very important social justice story. Maybe better in book form.

Good story line

Liked the story and the information that was contained in it ver good detail makes you see it in your mind

Very interesting story

A different version of this book used to be on audible. It was slightly longer and had a different narrator. Both versions are good. I like the story so much I got both versions :) The original version isn't available on audible.com anymore.

I highly recommend this book.

True story

Well presented true story of crime committed against people and the environment. A clear look at the twisted process of the legal system. A reminder that things don’t always come out ok in the end.

story of environmental disaster

another great book. i enjoyed hearing the story and what horrible things can happen. couldn't stop listening

What an amazing narrative!

Depending on what side of my family you look at, I am a 5th and 6th generation native Idahoan. I grew up in Boise. My grandfather had a farm in Idaho Falls. My parents and one brother graduated from Idaho State University in Pocatello. I graduated from Boise State. My youngest brother graduated from University of Idaho. I met Gov. Andres a couple of times (handshake kind of meet). This narrative is very well written and it captures Idaho, Soda Springs, Pocatello, and the people perfectly. It is well worth your time to listen to it. The one complaint is that it does take a bit longer than 3.5 hours to drive from Boise to Pocatello. There is this 45 mile long strip between Boise and Mountain Home that takes 8 hours. I swear it does! I’ve been driving it my entire life.