Blood and Money

The Classic True Story of Murder, Passion, and Power

By: Thomas Thompson

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Length: 21 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Joan Robinson Hill was a world-class equestrian, a glamorous member of Houston high society, and the wife of Dr. John Hill, a handsome and successful plastic surgeon. Her father, Ash Robinson, was a charismatic oil tycoon obsessed with making his daughter's every dream come true. 

Rich, attractive, and reckless, Joan was one of the most celebrated women in a town infatuated with money, power, and fame. Then one morning in 1969, she fell mysteriously ill. The sordid events that followed comprise "what may be the most compelling and complex case in crime annals" (Ann Rule, best-selling author of The Stranger Beside Me). 

From the elegant mansions of River Oaks, one of America's most exclusive neighborhoods, to a seedy underworld of prostitution and murder-for-hire, New York Times best-selling author Thomas Thompson tracks down every bizarre motive and enigmatic clue to weave a fascinating tale of lust and vengeance. Full of colorful characters, shocking twists, and deadly secrets, Blood and Money is "an absolute spellbinder" and true crime masterpiece (Newsweek).

©1976 Thomas Thompson (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This is his most assured and ambitious book so far...a drama as tight as a sudden adhesive tape over your mouth in bed. Non-decaffeinated all-night reading." (Kirkus)

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK

I WAS WAITING FOR THIS BOOK FOR A LONG TIME. I READ THE PHYSICAL BOOK YEARS AGO. NOW THAT I CAN'T SEE WELL ENOUGH FOR SERIOUS READING I CAN LISTEN TO IT AGAIN!

I DID NOT CARE FOR THE NARRATOR BUT HE WAS OK. HE SEEMED TO LACK SOMETHING.

I DO THINK THAT THE BOOK SHOULD HAVE PORTRAYED DR. HILL TO SHOW HIS TRUE NASTINESS. BUT I SUPPOSE THE BOOK WAS BEING OBJECTIVE. ANYWAY IT WAS A GOOD STORY!

Murder in a time capsule

This was the first true crime book that I ever read, and it triggered a great interest in the genre. This book relates the events of the murder of a beloved socialite in a very young Houston, Texas. It quickly delves into the seedy underbelly of the state's criminal element. The book reflects a time in the past where civil rights were not in everyday life and the "beautiful" people bought off trouble with money. It's a sad tale for all involved- with no happy ending for anyone.
The narrator often mispronounced names and some words, which I found distracting. It's a good listen nonetheless.

Could not put it down

The book and the performance was excellent. Every hour was great. All I want now, is another book as good, Thanks

Classic tragedy; love, greed, power, hate

More drama, more intense personalities, and more twists and surprises than a crime fiction masterpiece. Romance, wealth, passion, police procedural and courtroom battles are in abundance; not so much plain answers. It is a story not to be missed by crime aficionados.

Thompson masterfully unravels a true story that is rife with complexity and side details. Some of the most puzzling elements of the story may simply have been random events, and not related to the truth of the case at all. Thompson manages to keep myriads of characters and incidents straight for the listener.

A true tale of strong wills colliding during Houston's wide-open oil-boom years. Fiction can't match this tale.

Some people will draw firm conclusions about guilt and innocence from this book. Others will feel that there are even deeper mysteries about what really happened to the beautiful and tragic Joan Robinson Hill, and her star-crossed husband, John Hill.

The narration! Nooooo...

Unfortunately the narration killed it for me and I ended up abandoning this one. The story is interesting enough but I couldn’t get over the narrators cadence. If you’re a fan of the voiceovers from old 40s and 50s newsreels, then you’ll enjoy it. Alas, I’m not a fan.

wow!

this is an amazing story . agree with previous writer that narrator voice is a bit off putting but we'll worth the read. surprise ending

Fantastic story, expertly written

I had enjoyed the book years ago in hardback, and revisiting it in 2020 has been a real treat. Thompson does an excellent job of getting into all the details of the characters. You'd think this story could only be science fiction, except for the fact that it's all true. Thompson weaves t all together so very well. If only the narration were better...

I feel like I'm being yelled at by the narrator.

I tried. I really tried. but the narrator sounds like a sports announcer. Not my style.

Great Read

Started slow but with a purpose. Excellent true crime story. Would highly recommend it for all true crime enthusiasts.

Very unsatisfactory ending

You would think after 21 hours, there would be some closure or clarification to what happened to the true mastermind behind the final killing. This book never explains why he was never charged in this case. You can assume money and power but this is never really explored. The narrator was so bland and matter of fact that it sounded more like a news report than a passionate true crime murder. I wouldn't wast a credit or your time.

Amazingly weird....great book

....in an odd way, you get a view of the truth of american justice....which isn't always true or just!

It’s ok.

I found it somewhat long winded, quite disjointed in places and tedious. an interesting story nonetheless.

Excellent

For true crime fans this is a must book, great detail paid to all players involved in this sad tale.

Riveting

This is a great story with unexpected twist and turns, I won't spoiler anything by saying that I still wonder why one person wasn't tried and convicted..