The Hills Report

by Shawn Sprague

Cable news host Eric Hills awakes to shocking news—a beloved American actress has been abducted. Hills begins planning his coverage when he's handed the biggest break of his career: an email containing a photo of the terrified movie star. It's the first in a series of direct communications from the brazen kidnappers. Overnight, Hills becomes the face of the story as WNN becomes the highest rated network on television. Professionally, it seems almost too good to be true, but other mysterious events will soon threaten everything he’s ever worked for...and perhaps much more. Hills is suddenly faced with an impossible decision: run to the Feds for help or ignore the warnings and continue pursuing his life's ambition. Will he survive long enough to make a choice?

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 20, 2014

About the author

Shawn Sprague lives in upstate New York with his wife and three children and their dog, Sammy. He is the author of The Hills Report, a thriller that beat out three major bestsellers in a blind market survey called The Hills Report Experiment. To read more about The Experiment (or Shawn) you can visit www.shawnsprague.com or visit his Facebook page (search Shawn Sprague Author).

Reviews

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

I enjoyed this book. I thought the action scenes at the end were very well done. I do think one of the big twists near the end was easy to figure out, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment. I would definitely read a sequel-- lots of loose ends to tie up.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rather bittersweet. Eric Hills has finally achieved his dream of having his own news show. Unfortunately, ratings are low and it’s only a matter of time before his dream disappears.

Then, with only one week until his show is cancelled, Eric catches a break. In fact, not just a break but THE break. The story of a lifetime is handed to Eric on a silver platter, the kidnappers of a famous actress send Eric an exclusive photograph with promises of more to come. Instantly, Eric is thrust into the limelight.

One question remains though. Is this all too good to be true? Did these kidnappers really choose Eric as a spokesperson because of his tell it like it is image or was he picked for another reason? Was he even handpicked?

Who is making the news and why? Is it media spin or someone spinning the media? Breaking News is both thought provoking and entertaining. Eric Hill is just an average guy trying to make his dreams come true (and maybe show his ex that she was wrong about him) who finds himself deep in the middle of far more than he can handle.

[Jean Kolinofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read that this was Shawn Sprague’s first book, I found it hard to believe. It is a story that is well paced and keeps the reader guessing as he provides twist after twist. Eric Hills is on the cusp of losing his show, The Hills Report, when he receives exclusive communications from the kidnappers of Samantha Kollet, a popular movie celebrity. Taken by professionals who were hired by a group with their own agenda, things spiral out of control when the professionals start giving the orders. When Hills receives an anonymous note indicating that he may be in danger, he must decide whether to continue under the control of the station manager and producers or go to the authorities. I found this book hard to put down and I can’t wait to see what Sprague comes up with in the future. I won a copy of this book from Goodreads and was happy to give my honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very start, The Hills Report had me captivated. Sprague has a way of writing that grips the reader and draws them into each of the characters and the plot. I found it hard to put the book down! I do not typically read suspense or thriller novels, but when recommended to read this book, decided to give it a go. Wow. I'm hooked. Now I'm hoping that Sprague will write a sequel! Am anxiously awaiting his next book.

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This Goodreads Giveaway was an exciting, suspenseful and well written mystery. Eric is a television celebrity who becomes enmeshed in a tightly wound series of deaths. It all was very realistic and even very scary. If there is a follow-up book, I definitely want it.

[Susan Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was crazy good, it had you wondering up until the end and there were lots of surprises!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it from beginning to end! So many twists and turns! I had a hard time putting it down! Hope Shawn Sprague plans on writing more!!!!

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like mystery or ever worked in broadcasting, read this book.

[Wpayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hills Report

Very good read. Liked his main character a lot. Lots of twists and turns. Kept me reading way into the night

[Lindamac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Kept me reading late into the night!!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could easily see this becoming a streaming miniseries. All of the characters were vividly developed, and the pacing was great— I tore through the last 60 pages. Truly unexpected twist toward the end!

[J Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by Shawn Sprague! The flow was fantastic and story was so engaging that I couldn't put it down! I look forward to the next one.