I thought that Mr Clutter was a very nice gentleman. I thought so right up to the moment that I cut his throat.

On November 15th, 1959, a tragic event unfolded in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas. Four members of the Clutter family were brutally murdered in their own home. The crime scene was eerie, with no clear motive and limited clues. Truman Capote, a renowned author, took on the task of reconstructing the entire murder and the subsequent investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers.

I'm almost ashamed to admit that it took me such a long time to finally read what is widely regarded as the first true crime novel. Capote's remarkable writing ability, combined with the harrowing and senseless nature of the mass murder, results in an incredibly well-written and terrifying book. His descriptions of the landscapes, the different characters, and the overall atmosphere are simply exquisite. It's not often that true crime books possess such literary finesse. Another exception is Michelle McNamara's "I'll Be Gone in the Dark." Reading true crime in such a beautiful prose is always a pleasure.

I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about the case. This is quite unusual for me, considering how much true crime I consume through reading and listening to podcasts. "In Cold Blood" really brings home the fragility of life. Things can change in an instant, and this case is a prime example. Home invasion murders are one of my biggest fears, and I can only imagine the horror and terror that the Clutter family endured prior to their deaths. And all of this for a measly $30 to $40! It makes my stomach churn.

However, there were a few aspects of the book that I didn't particularly like. The addition of "fictional" parts, such as the scene at the end that apparently didn't happen and the dialogue between characters who were murdered shortly after the dialogue took place, didn't sit well with me. While I can understand the benefits of adding these elements to present a more well-rounded story, as a true crime enthusiast, I prefer to stick to the facts or possible scenarios. This is, of course, a personal preference.

Capote also spent a significant amount of time providing the backgrounds of various people introduced in the narrative. At times, it felt like unnecessary padding. Towards the end, he delved into the details of the crimes of another inmate on death row, and I felt that the book had started to lose some of its momentum.

After finishing the book, I did some research online about the writing process. I was amazed to learn that Capote had gone to Kansas with Harper Lee to conduct their own research into the murder and the murderers themselves. I also came across articles detailing how this crime and the novel consumed Capote, leading to a downward spiral of drink and drug addiction, and he never finished another book. I had no idea that there was so much more to the story beyond the book itself, and it was fascinating to read about.

"In Cold Blood" is undoubtedly a novel that deserves its classic status. It is a must-read for all true crime fans. I would rate it 4 stars.

Aweosme true crime story. There's a reason this book comes up on like every list of "the best true crimes stories" cause it's truly one of the best. It presents a super easy story to follow, not overly burdened with too many facts and details. You get to know the characters, mostly the killers, and it gives you a sense that you know them a little.

Spoilers to follow.

It was rather easy to feel bad for the killers in this book. Of course, I feel bad for the family that got killed, but the focus was more on the killers and their story. It makes you wonder. People always say, "I wonder what happened to that guy, why is he the way he is, or what made him do what he did." Well, Perry had a really messed up childhood. He had a drunk mom, an abusive father, and no access to education. No wonder he did what he did. At some point, the parents are to blame for this one. At least Perry's parents are. Yes, Perry and Smith deserved to hang, but maybe if Perry was shown the love and attention he needed or got the education he craved, then perhaps the Clutters would still be farming in the river valley.

My last thought and my favorite part of the book. The very end when they are on death row. They see their "friend" walk down to the gallows, and he's laughing and joking right to the end. Then, a while later, and it's their turn. According to this book anyway, they walked down to the gallows, said their last words, and then got hung. No fuss. No fight. No animosity. It makes you wonder why they took it so lightly. Did they care? Were they just glad it was finally over? It makes you wonder how someone can face death so easily.

Reading Road Trip 2020

Current location: Kansas

How can I put this? It felt as if I was an outsider looking in. It was more like I was perusing a story, and I was compelled to know what would unfold. The end.

If you were to randomly ask an American to name a book related to Kansas, the most likely response would be The Wonderful World of Oz (better known by the movie's title, The Wizard of Oz).

If you posed the same question to a dedicated reader, you'd surely get Oz, but there would be a swift second answer: In Cold Blood.

I had already read Frank Baum's underwhelming Oz story several years ago, so I knew this book would be the obvious choice for Kansas.

But I didn't want it to be. You see... although I have respect for Truman Capote as a writer, this isn't the kind of book I'm inclined to read. I don't typically pick up "true crime" novels, nor do I read horror, whether it's real or fictional.

And this is horror. Real-life horror. And it is... terrifying. I can't think of a better way to convey my experience of reading this book this week than by sharing this photo of a beloved Seinfeld episode:



As unlikely as it may seem, both The Wizard of Oz and In Cold Blood do have something in common... two really creepy villains:



But, even though I'm attempting to lighten the mood with a bit of humor here, it's just an act. This week, I felt nothing but a sense of heaviness. This is a heartbreaking true story, and, even though I believe it to be Mr. Capote's masterpiece, I can only express the greatest relief that this particular read is over. (Hence, four stars, not five. Five stars, for me,意味着 I look forward to a reread).

This is a story of broken individuals who shattered others. It was truly soul-crushing for me.

To be murdered. To be murdered. No. No. There's nothing worse. Nothing worse than that. Nothing.