MovieChat Forums > Murder in Texas (1981) Discussion > Read the book by Thomas Thompson!

Read the book by Thomas Thompson!


It's called "Blood and Money". Published in 1977, it was one of the first true-crime books I ever read. It was riveting! Joan's mysterious death has never been explained, despite an autopsy by a world-famous pathologist. It has been suggested she died from toxic shock syndrome. I don't think her husband killed her (her father and many others believed that Dr. Hill poisoned Joan to marry the woman he'd been having an affair with). I also don't believe he was sorry she died, and I DO believe he was guilty of not getting her to a hospital until she was critically ill. Her illness sounded like stomach flu -- vomiting and diarrhea. I think she grew dehydrated, and he deliberately waited a couple of days before taking her to the hospital. By that time she was in kidney failure, and shortly thereafter her heart failed. Barely two months after she died, Dr. Hill remarried. That marriage ended in divorce, but his third marriage seemed to be off to a good start until he was gunned down in his own home in September 1972. Read the book to find out the rest of the story. It's recently been re-issued in paperback.

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You are right - it's an excellent book. I agree with your theory of Joan's death. Even if he did kill her, though, there wasn't enough evidence of guilt to go beyond reasonable doubt for me, if he'd been brought to trial. Shame that he was given the death penalty anyway.

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[deleted]

I heard that Ash Robinson had him killed.
I think Ash was responsible for Hill's death, whether he shot him personally or hired someone.


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It is very well known in Houston that Ash had him murdered. Common knowledge.

Good Times, Noodle Salad

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Gosh, so many things can happen when someone has enough money to rule someone's life. Ending not true, I've heard.
I have this movie. Add me as a friend to talk more.

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Thought about this story again today. You might find this interesting lesmovies
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?showtopic=10315

Its from Houston Architecture and from some folks who really know Houston history.

Good Times, Noodle Salad

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I believe John Hill DID kill Joan. Either deliberately or through neglect. Probably deliberately. I recently reread the book and there is much circumstantial evidence. I really don't blame Ash either. No it wasn't right, but he was her loving father after all.
Dini

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[deleted]

I loved the Thompson book! I lent it out, decades ago, and it was never returned. It taught me a lesson: "never a lender be," no matter how much I trust the person. I'd love to read Blood and Money again.

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