Blood and Money

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Summary: A true life tale of Texan greed, love and murder.
Review: "Blood and Money" first published in 1976 is a true page turner and a major piece of non-fiction journalism. Set thiry years ago in the moneyed mansions of Houstons River Oaks it is a spellbinding tale of an oil millionares(Ash Robinson) obsessive love for his daughter(Joan Robinson) and her ill fated third marraige to a rising star plastic surgeon(John Hill). Events take tragic and unexpected turns carrying along the readers emotions. Then the author brings us through a series of court trials deepeening the characters and shading their motives. Abruptly the story leaves behind the privileged rich lives and burrows into the sleazy underbelly of Texan prostitution and petty crime culminating in a final pursuit and spectacular murder trial. No fiction is a match for the awful truth here and the writer Thomas Thompson meticulously unravels this bizarre saga of greed, power, lust, love and murder. All the characters are deeply shaded and by force of sheer detail their lives are brought into vivid focus. It is a sprawling narrative similar to Norman Mailers "The Executioners Song" although largely confined to the somewhat strange state of Texas. Thompson must have utilized every possible material(court transcrits, autopsy reports, police files, photographs) and person avialable to him. Conversations are carefully reconstructed, events are colorfully described and the author seamlessly insinuates himself into the mind of each of the characters. Readers enjoy a fly- on-the-wall perspective of the characters doings and actions. Ultimately "Blood and Money" can fairly take its place alongside other New Journalism classics like "In Cold Blood". It would have been nice however if the author had included a preface, (some notes about his research techniques) photographs and character epilogues. The hard cover Doubleday publication does not contain any supplementry information perhaps other versions do. This calibre of jornalism is damned impressive and it's a pity we don't have its originator Thomas Thompson with us any longer.

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Summary: couldn't put it down
Review: A well researched book on an interesting case of murder and revenge. The characters are well drawn and book is a good one. It just lacks whatever it is that makes the best true crime books gripping.

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Summary: Don't bother
Review: I had high hopes when starting this book. The reviews were so favorable. I received this and "Serpentine" as gifts. I gave up after about 200 pages. It was bogged down by an extended history of the victims family for 3 or 4 generations, and it was slow moving. If you value your time, read something else.

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Summary: Blood and Money
Review: I read "Blood and Money" years ago, not long after it was released. Since that time, I have read many, many books, some good and many bad...This was one book I will never forget. Being from Texas as I am, I read about a wealthy family from my home state that was embroiled in a scandalous murder investigation. How John Hill killed his wife (I'm not giving anything away saying this..it was in the news)was nothing short of horrific.In the book, there were parts that seemed to drag on, although all parts of the investigation must be considered to understand how the murder was committed. It has its surprises!!! Once you get into the relationships in this book, you won't want to put it down! If you like a good mystery, you won't be dissappointed.

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Summary: Hard to put down!
Review: I read this book about a year ago, it still haunts me. I just found Prescription Murder in the used book store and though its another perspective of what happened, nothing can compare with Thomas Thompsons skill and in depth version of the events. It's trully sad to have lost such a great true crime writer.

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Summary: A true look into Saddlebred History
Review: I read this book for a different reason than most, I am an avid lover of Saddlebred horses and have been my whole life. I knew of Joan Robinson from her success in horses and have always wanted to know what happened to her. Tompson does an excellent job of portraying the events that lead up to Joan's death. If you liked this subject matter you should also read Ann Kurth's, Prescription: Murder. It isn't nearly as good as Blood and Money, but it gives a more in depth story of how John Hill killed Joan. Written by his second wife, Kurth tells how John told her, in detail, exactly how he killed Joan. Both books are wonderful. All Saddlebred lovers should read them both.

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Summary: If you love true crime books, this is one you can't put down
Review: I saw the mini-series starring Farrah Fawcett before I read the book. I was intrigued by the movie. I had never heard of Joan Olive Robinson Hill before and after seeing the movie I wondered about her and her life and if it were possible that her husband did in fact kill her. There were a lot of questions that needed answering. I read the book and was amazed at the attention Thomas Thompson gave to even the smallest detail and how he was able to draw you into the story, you almost felt like you were there when these events happened. The book did not absolutely say that John Hill had killed Joan Hill, but it certainly provided ample motive and opportunity. And the scenario that describes the way he might have done it seems plausible. Who knows? This does not take away at all from the drama of this story and as John Hill himself is dead as well, there are some things we will never know. Thomas Thompson makes you feel empathy for Joan and her situation. He also makes you feel sympathy, compassion and scorn; why didn't she just leave the bum and find someone who really wanted her. I loved this story.

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Summary: Excellent Writer, and a Can't put it Down Book. 2/22/99
Review: Sad, but true this wonderful writer Thomas Thompson is gone, he died of (I believe) liver cancer, but this book is the best written book of a story so eerie and scarie, how this doctor could do the evil things he did. I have this copy and I have never loan it to anyone, (but once) to a very good friend, who doesn't even like murder mysteries, but I knew she would love this one! It even more bizarre because its true.l Try to find a copy - you will be hooked and want to read more by this author.

Rating:
Summary: A True Crime Book That is True to the Crime
Review: The depiction in this interesting book is accurate, according to events reported in the Houston newspapers that covered these events. I was fortunate to actually see Ash Robinson one morning in 1978, in the driveway of his River Oaks home, wearing pajamas and putting something in the trunk of his car. It was awesome.

Rating:
Summary: A True Crime Book That is True to the Crime
Review: The depiction in this interesting book is accurate, according to events reported in the Houston newspapers that covered these events. I was fortunate to actually see Ash Robinson one morning in 1978, in the driveway of his River Oaks home, wearing pajamas and putting something in the trunk of his car. It was awesome.