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)

“Author Robert Dugoni is firing on all cylinders. His best-selling Tracy Crosswhite novels set in the world of the Seattle police number ten (and counting) in the series. Dugoni also has a spy series, a legal thriller series and stand-alone novels including one set during the Vietnam War and another spanning decades. Now he’s gone deep into historical fiction with this crime novel set in the 1930s. Seattle is in the grip of the Great Depression and Prohibition. So naturally vice is at an all time high. Cub reporter William Shumacher stumbles onto a great story: an ex-prize fighter murdered by a mobster, with a gangster’s moll just one of many unreliable witnesses. It’ll be the launch of a new series for Dugoni, assuming Shumacher survives.”—Parade

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

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.

The era so well portrayed

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

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.

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.

This was “real fiction”

Living near Seattle but not born here I’m limited in my knowledge of its seedy history. This book brought it before me in a great story based on actual events during the depression. Add in the references to the geography here it drew me in from the first page to the last word. The author’s ability to create such stories puts him at the top of the list of
my favorite authors. You can’t do much better when looking for an entertaining read.

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!

Wonderful characterization!

The description given of the life during the depression and how those difficult times could destroy people of good character.

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.