WARNING: CRIME SCENE PHOTOS ARE GRAPHICTwo families, mysteriously murdered under similar circumstances, just a month apart. One was memorialized in Truman Capote’s classic novel, In Cold Blood. The other was all but forgotten. Dick Hickock and Perry Smith confessed to the first: the November 15, 1959 murder of a family of four in Holcomb, Kansas. Despite remarkable coincidences between the two … coincidences between the two crimes, they denied committing the second: the December 19 murder of a family of four in Osprey, Florida.
Over half a century later, a determined Florida detective undertakes exceptional efforts to try to bring closure to the long-cold case.
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If you enjoy reading true crime, you will enjoy this book. Not a long book, but the tie-ins to the Clutter murderers are very thought provoking and convincing.
I read this weeks ago and I keep thinking about the events that happened. Very well written
This was written by the author’s belief that these two guys committed these murders, and I believe he is probably right.
My only real memory of Truman Capote is in the movie, Murder by Death. I never read “In Cold Blood”. I have heard of it, of course, and have heard of the murder that inspired it. I’ve never read anything Capote wrote. Even so, when I read about this book, In Colder Blood, I knew I had to read it. It was really an amazing analysis of the connection between Walker murders the Clutter murders, separated only by a few weeks. The argument for these two crimes being committed by Dick Hickock and Perry Smith is very convincing. I believe it’s highly likely to be what happened. However, the actual evidence for it being proven is frustratingly elusive. That being said, I think that it has been proven as best it can be for a crime that is nearly 60 years old. Such a great read and I highly recommend it. Maybe I’ll read Capote’s book now. 🙂 Maybe.
The connection to the killers describe in Capote’s “In Cold Blood” is fairly convincing. It is a bit clunky in places, but overall a fairly good read.
I already left a review – this is a very well written book and perfect followup to In Cold Blood.
I was horrified by the story and the things that happen in this world. Saying that, we must realize there are some really sick and scary people in this world.
Author walks you through all the evidence and makes a convincing case.
I enjoyed reading it but I would have liked more background in the people involved.
The author made a convincing case that the murderers of this family in Florida were the same pair who killed the Clutter Family.
I never knew about these other murders. Who else could have done it!!
More supposition than facts. Makes you want to believe that Perry Smith and Dick Hickock are guilty of another quadruple murder.
This book was awesome but scary. Couldn’t put it down.
never heard about this murder before. Too bad they cant be held responsible twice.
I love books about true crimes. They help you understand the judicial system and what can go wrong in an investigation. They also show you to what length a detective will go to to solve the crime. You realize that some police/detectives are not as dedicated as others, but it exposes those too. I wish Book Bub would offer more of these for free. Anything True Crime or U.S. History Trivia. Thank you.
Well written accounting of a tragic murder of a young couple and their two children. Certainly causes you to reflect upon Truman Capote’s book “In Cold Blood” and the tie-in with the two killers of this family. Convinced me.
Possible connection, unfortunately not proven
But not just coincidence either. The book gives enough information to make you wonder but no closure
not what I expected
Disappointing. Nothing definitive proved. Did not engage me. Luckily, it is short so I didn’t waste much time reading it.
I was a little disappointed that this book wasn’t longer and more informative. I really don’t think the author made a good enough case to convince you that Hickock and Smith were definetly the killers. Although it does make you question why the authorities did not pursue the idea that they might be responsible for the killing of this young family.