Blood and Money

Power passion oil money murderall the ingredients of a fast-paced gripping mystery novel drive this true-crime story that on its original publication leapt onto best-seller lists nationwide. To that mix add glamorous personalities prominent Texas businessmen gangland reprobates and a whole parade of medical experts. At once a documentary account of events and a novelistic reconstruction of encounters among the cast of colorful characters this anatomy of murder first chronicles the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death in 1969 of Joan Robinsonthe pampered daughter of a Texas oil millionaire and the wife of plastic surgeon Dr. John Hillthen examines the bizarre consequences that followed it. For in 1972 having been charged by his father-in-law with Joans death and having survived a mistrial John Hill himself was killed supposedly by a robber. So was the robber by a cop supposedly for resisting arrest. From the exclusive haunts of Houstons super-rich to the citys seamy underworld of prostitutes pimps and punks author and investigative journalist Thomas Thompson tracks down all the leads and clues. And in a brutal tale of blood and money he uncovers some shocking and bitter truths.