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In Cold Blood

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In Cold Blood

Written by: Truman Capote
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Truman Capote’s masterpiece of true crime, intensely researched and vividly atmospheric—“as it if were happening before [the reader’s] very eyes” (Time)

“Harrowing . . . The best documentary account of an American crime ever written. . . . The book chills the blood and exercises the intelligence.”—The New York Times Book Review

On November 15th, 1959, Richard Eugene Hickock and Perry Edward Smith brutally murdered the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas. This superb work, an exhaustively researched narrative of the lives of the family and the men who killed them, created a sensation when it was first published, serially, in The New Yorker in 1965.

Perry Smith is one of the great dark characters of American literature, full of contradictory emotions. “I thought he was a very nice gentleman,” he says of Herb Clutter. “Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat.” Told in chapters that alternate between the Clutter household and the approach of Smith and Hickock in their black Chevrolet, then between the investigation of the case and the killers’ flight, Capote’s account is so detailed that the reader comes to feel almost like a participant in the events. Americas Criminology Murder Social Sciences True Crime United States Crime Exciting Fiction
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What the critics say

“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

Featured Article: 20 Best True Crime Audiobooks for Your Inner Detective

There is nothing more thrilling than the unfolding tale of a true crime story. Whether an unsolved mystery, a deep dive into a criminal mastermind, or a look at an infamous serial killer, true crime is gripping, captivating, and engrossing. The best true crime audiobooks will have you on the edge of your seat, anxious for more. Add to that an emphatic and powerful narrator, and you simply won't be able to stop listening. Here are the 20 best true crime audiobooks to satisfy your inner detective.

Featured Article 20 Best True Crime Audiobooks for Your Inner Detective
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After a while, the reader’s voice became irritating and monotone. However, given that it was written by Capote I trudged on listening to it. I found the book to be dated but also powerful.

I might have missed it but I wish Capote might have written himself in the story or given himself more of a scene or two.





Appreciate the book

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I think Capote managed to convey the controversy behind capital punishment. It's overall an interesting read apart from a few additional storylines that I thought weren't necessary. It's quite depressing too but I guess that's life. The narrator was great.

Interesting read

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This is a very well-written tale about a desperate murder in a small rural community. Truman Capote dives deep into the personalities and motivations of the individuals involved (perpetrators, victims, and investigators). It’s fascinating.
Capote turns a relatively ordinary headline (botched robbery/murder) into an engrossing narrative.

Scott Brick is, as usual, excellent..but not incredible. Another reader could, perhaps, do a better job with this material..but Brick was a good choice.

Altogether, the critical acclaim for this story is warranted. I rate it 9 stars out of 10.

Remarkable Exposé of an Unremarkable Crime

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Truman Capote is such a great story teller. He really brings this story to true life

Great true crime story

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This story is told so well - written in an interesting and eloquent manner. No complaints on the narrator, pleasant voice with no annoyances! It’s been said before, but a must read for true crime fans!

Great!

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