A Killing on the Hill

A Thriller

By: Robert Dugoni

Narrated by: Robert Dugoni

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Critic reviews

"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)

“Dugoni is a superb storyteller.”—The Boston Globe

“I would follow Robert Dugoni anywhere.”—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

The ending

I never would have guessed the ending, but it was very satisfying. I’m wondering if the author is considering this book as a first in a new series.

A Killing on the Hill

Robert Dugoni is an excellent mystery writer and a good narrator also. In this book Frankie Ray a former fighter has been killed. Basically William Schumacher (Shoe) is a reporter. Shoe is the main Character. All suspects are telling the same story. This book was easy to follow and held my interest. Shoe is covering the story of the century. He becomes famous. He meets the love of his life. I highly recommend this book. You'll love how William Schumacher becomes a successful reporter and a man. The trial is also a big part of the book. This book is written about a time in the 1930's. I learned a lot about the way things were in that time era. Robert Dugoni did a good job writing and narrating this book. If my review is any help will you please click on the helpful link below. Thank you.

Seattle in the 1930’s

A different book than I usually read. I liked the time period and the criminal pervasiveness.

Great story and writing!!

Love the author, will be reading all his stories. He does a great job narrating! Thank you for allowing me to leave reality a bit each day!

Fantastic!

Fantastic Book with excellent narration.
I loved this book! Characters were wonderful once again the author out does himself!

Great story

Loved the story, narration and it moved along very nicely. Look forward to listening to another Robert Dugoni book

The era so well portrayed

Loved the narration as well as the story. It held my interest throughout. Great well portrayed characters

How different this book is from the other books by this author I have read

It seemed a bit slow but I finally got into the pace and story and enjoyed the read.

Great characters

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

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.