National Bestseller On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues. As Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the … and execution of the killers, he generates both mesmerizing suspense and astonishing empathy. In Cold Blood is a work that transcends its moment, yielding poignant insights into the nature of American violence.
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I’m not sure this book inspired me or changed my life but it was the first “True Crime” book I read. I was 16 years old and it definitely started my affinity for this genre. It sickened me yet I remember not being able to stop reading it and I became fascinated by the way some peoples mind works.
My first true crime book that got me hooked on that genre!
In Cold Blood set the standard for all other true crime books. Capote’s writing carries this horrifying story of a horrifying crime along to its conclusion.
An Australian reporter with the Sydney Herald once asked me to pick my favorite author and I couldn’t do it. He put me on the spot and I must admit I choked. I couldn’t imagine choosing between the brilliant people who have moved and inspired me. I declined to answer. Later, I realized that the answer was clear. I love every word written by Truman …
I have read this several times over the years. The 1st time was wen it was printed in serial form in the New Yorker in the early 1960’s. This is truly Truman Kapote’s masterpiece. It is spellbinding like good pros. It is the very 1st True Crime novel.
It combines compassion for the victims along with a captivating and complex glimpse into the …
This was a book I had to put down for a year after I read the section about the murder. It was quite horrendous. But I had to pick it back up again.
This was Capote’s best, and one of the all-time best true crime stories told.
In 1968 I had to read this in my college literature class. Ground breaking book at the time.
I am disturbed by the moral stance (or lack of) of a journalist (Truman Capote) and the length he went. Did he engineer or manipulate events and evidence in the environment (Holcomb, Kansas) just to get the story to lean the way he wanted?
The gripping nature of the tale and the fact that the murderers almost got away must have fueled Capote’s …
Amazing!
Excellent read, one I could not put down. Was written so well you thought you were there with them, while reading it. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone to read it, you won’t regret it.
Read this as a young woman in college. Stayed with me because of the horrific nature of the crimes. Capote made u feel the sickness of the se 2 men and it didn’t feel good!
True crime story that I couldn’t put down. Capote created an entirely new genre with this meticulously researched account of a tragic murder. Truly a classic.
Considered the very first non-fiction novel (or more accurately non-fiction BASED novel), In Cold Blood pioneered a new genre of crime writing. It starts with the murders and flashes back to illuminate the characters, motives, pathology – which was a first of its kind approach to story telling. Capote both fascinates and horrifies with the layers …
Capote did a masterful job of presenting this horrific crime & a character study of one of the killers.
** spoiler alert ** One night, when I was way too young to do so, I stayed up late and watched, “In Cold Blood,” as my family slept.
It wasn’t until many decades later that I came to the realization that seeing this film at such a tender age was probably a “ground zero” for many of my insecurities and lifelong concerns.
Finally getting around to …
This is the book that made Truman Capote a household name. His diligent research on-site with the detectives in Holcomb, Kansas that broke the case, and the two heartless murderers who slaughtered a family of four there led to Capote’s intimate true crime novel. Masterfully written, descriptive and insightful, this book may keep you up at night …
This book was a classic written by one of the most talented writers of his time. From the bloody murder of an entire family in Kansas to the trial and conviction of the murderers, this book set the bar.
Very good book. I loved how it got both perspectives and it was very well written.
This is the first time I’m reading this classic and it really is fantastic. The structure is just about perfect and it really pioneers the entire—currently thriving—genre of true crime.