In Cold Blood

By: Truman Capote

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The most famous true crime novel of all time "chills the blood and exercises the intelligence" (The New York Review of Books)—and haunted its author long after he finished writing it.

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.

In one of the first non-fiction novels ever written, Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers, generating 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.

©1965 Truman Capote (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A masterpiece ... a spellbinding work." —Life

"A remarkable, tensely exciting, superbly written 'true account'. " —The New York Times

"The best documentary account of an American crime ever written ... The book chills the blood and exercises the intelligence ... harrowing." —The New York Review of Books

The Mother (Father?) of all True Crime

Capote's use of language and description is terrific. My husband's family is from Garden City, Kansas, and this book truly took me there. The history of the criminal's past, and how they were caught was fascinating. Clearly the precursor to Helter Skelter, and told in the same manner. Narration was excellent too.

Masterful True-Crime Novel

What made the experience of listening to In Cold Blood the most enjoyable?

The book cannot be enjoyed in a traditional sense. I found it chilling and at times gruesome. It held my attention and I listened until I finished it.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot kept me on the edge of my seat because Capote had access to all of the key witnesses surrounding the murders. He even interviewed the murderers themselves. Using their own words, he got inside the heads of the characters so you can see the world from their perspective. Since the reader goes into "In Cold Blood" knowing who the murderers were, Capote holds the readers' attention by showing how the events unfolded.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Hickok and Perry--the murderers. Detestable. Seeing their motivations and lack of empathy were chilling, haunting. Capote's analysis of the mind of a murderer applies to today.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Capote's access to the people surrounding the murder. He quoted not just newspapers, because he was there when the investigation was ongoing and the murderers had not been captured yet. He used childhood friend Harper Lee (To Kill a Mocking Bird) to ingratiate himself upon people to get them to open up and talk. Their conversations recounted here describe the horrors and the senselessness of the murders.

Any additional comments?

This is the quintessential book in creative non-fiction. This was the book that launched the genre. I agree with Capote on this one. He should have won the Pulitzer.

Narrator Scott Brick

Scott brick is the most amazing and talented narrator! He is by far my favorite. I have listened to countless books that he has done and everyone is incredible. This was no exception.

first rate in every way

I hadn't read the book or seen the movies, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Nor had I read anything else by Truman Capote that I can recall. I was impressed with the way the author uses the English language to its fullest and most beautiful potential to describe such horrific and base crimes and criminals. He transports you to rural Kansas and into the lives of the doomed Clutter family at the start. Then the book focuses on the killers. You don't want to feel anything for them, but the author's focus is on their story and you can't help but get sucked in to their depraved world.

Scott Brick is my favorite narrator and he comes thru here in spades. He's got a knack for voices and accents and puts them to good use for this book. It's like listening to a one man show instead of an audiobook - I can't recommend it enough.

Depressing

This book was well written but there was an overwhelming sense of acceptance and inevitability for such a tragic event. The town feels as much a victim as the family. It's like everyone except the villians are depicted in a black and white newspaper still.

Truman Capote is brilliant

Would you listen to In Cold Blood again? Why?

Yes. I love the fact that was the "first" nonfiction book of its kind. Of course I am sadden by the Clutter murders, but Capote brought a realness to all the "characters".

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

In the book you can tell how Capote was attached to one of the murderers. Which goes to show we are all so human and compassion grabs people when they least expect it.

FIVE STAR STADING OVATION

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Not only is this book brilliantly written. You feel as though as you are traveling along with the writer. The narrator is outstanding as well. I wasn't sure I would like this book as it was "old" true crime but you would never know it wasn't written yesterday. This book offers it all. I could go on and on but the bottom line this is quite possibly a true crime masterpiece. I highly recommend.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Feeling, soothing, outstanding narrator. Five star narrator.

Any additional comments?

If you love true crime, you must add this to your collection!

Good book but a little too drawn out

What made the experience of listening to In Cold Blood the most enjoyable?

the story itself

Would you be willing to try another book from Truman Capote? Why or why not?

Maybe one more, just hoping will be a little more streamlined

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Narration was good

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

the feel of the story

Iconic

A work of non-fiction that has still not been surpassed in over 50 years since publication.

A no-brainer!

Would you consider the audio edition of In Cold Blood to be better than the print version?

They are both outstanding, I consider them both classics.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In Cold Blood?

Herbert Clutter: Why do you boys want to do this?
Dick: Shut up!

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Different point of view with different nuances.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Mesmerizing