In Cold Blood

Summary

«In Cold Blood» marks a pivotal point in Truman Capote's career, dividing his work into before and after. This neo-realist novel, published in 1966, is based on true events. The book meticulously details the horrific murder of the Clutter family in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, which occurred on November 15, 1959. The story begins as a detective narrative, evolving into a profound psychological exploration of the criminals—Richard Hickock and Perry Smith—their backgrounds, motives, and relationships. Capote, who spent years conducting journalistic investigations into the case, crafts a powerful narrative by intertwining factual details with a creative reconstruction of events, a groundbreaking approach to literature at the time.