In Cold Blood, one of the many works of famed author Truman Capote, was a book most definitely ahead of its time. Its extraordinary success opened the door to true crime genre of today.
In Cold Blood recounts the horrendous, brutal murders of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas in the pre-dawn hours of November 15, 1959.
Richard “Dick” Eugene Hickock and Perry Smith had first become acquainted in a Kansas prison. Prior to their release, they conspired with one another to rob a wealthy rancher about which another inmate, Floyd Wells, had told them.
It will probably never be known just exactly what happened in the Clutter home that night; but according to Smith’s account as told to Capote, he was solely responsible for the murders after becoming enraged at Hickock who wanted to rape Nancy Clutter.
Readers are left with a sense that Capote is sympathetic to Hickock and especially Smith; the latter who seemed to live an especially troubled childhood. (I wasn’t swayed, yet I’ve heard from many others who are.)
No doubt Capote, who seems to have lived a less-than-idyllic childhood and was an open homosexual lifestyle as an adult (long before it was acceptable), felt a special bond with Smith.
As a matter of fact, it has long been rumored that Capote and Smith developed a more intimate relationship, as much as one being in prison would allow, during the time of Capote’s research for In Cold Blood.
Classified by many as the best true crime book even today, In Cold Blood is 343 pages of fascinating storytelling of two criminals who gained outstanding notoriety across America in a single November night.
Before reading, I recommend watching the two following videos to get a feel for the people and places involved:
