The Cyanide Canary

A True Story of Injustice

By: Robert Dugoni, Joseph Hilldorfer

Narrated by: Tom Perkins

Early in the morning on August 27, 1996, 20-year-old Scott Dominguez showed up for an ordinary day at the fertilizing plant where he worked. By 11:00 am, he was clinging to life, unconscious and suffocating from toxic exposure to cyanide in a tank that was supposed to contain only mud and water.

EPA Special Agent Joseph Hilldorfer was tasked with finding out what really happened on that horrific day in Soda Springs, Idaho, but the answers would not be easily uncovered. For more than four years, Hilldorfer, his partner Bob Wojnicz, and a force of top-ranking US attorneys struggled to expose the disturbing truths behind the tragedy, but would their efforts be enough to put the man responsible, Allan Elias, behind bars?

©2004 Joseph Hilldorfer and La Mesa Literary LLC (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[An] electrically charged narrative...Top-notch nonfiction legal thriller, reminding readers of the baseline: 'This all comes down to one thing. It's all about money.'" ( Kirkus)

Courtroom drama about toxic chemical waste

This was OK. It passed the time while I did chores. It was a drama about toxic chemical waste & the court proceedings to prosecute the offender. Since I live in an area with a lot of chemical plants it was interesting as I've seen this happen often in the area during the 80s and 90s. If you like court room dramas this will fit the bill.

cyanide canary

This book is fascinating and was hard to not listen for hours and hours. Love the narrator. It really shows the behind lthe scenes look at what goes on in a courtroom. Will read more by this author.

Environmental Protection Agencies At Work

I thought the problems of convicting businesses owners who own chemicals industries throughout rural America were investigated often by the environmental protection agency. The authors captured a picture one man-made environmental crimes and the full picture of a disaster area in Idaho. The court scenes are very interesting and frightening to me because I am an environmental concerned citizen.

Audible documentary-EPA creation gaining ground

Very interesting! Not a subject I’d otherwise review. Tells story of one case which helped to establish the importance of EPA and like agencies. Unfortunately real life victims of true crimes. Includes follow up of those involved. Arranged as an audible story only it’s not fiction. True facts.

Thank you Mr Hilfendorfer for working to investigate the crimes and punish the offenders.

This is a gripping story of how arrogant environmental criminals are - especially in rural America.