crime and criminals

Put simply, if I were limited to taking only one novel to a deserted island for six months, Truman Capote's riveting 1966 masterpiece, In Cold Blood, would be my first choice. Painstakingly researched over a five year period, and poignantly described like a fictional narrative, Capote tells the horrifying true story of the 1959 Clutter Murders; from what each family member did on their last day alive; to a retracing of what the two murderers did and where they went before and after the murder; to the exhaustive investigation undertaken by Detective Alvin Dewey and the KBI in finding the killers; to the big moment when both killers hang for their crime. More importantly, Capote takes us into the thoughts and lives of the two killers;especially Perry Smith. Yes, it is Perry who pulls the trigger, but after reading this novel, you feel great pity for this tragic character; even more so than the Clutters themselves. Don't miss this one!

In the story "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote, I found that this man's version of the story was quite interesting to me. He was very descriptive in detail of all the characters of the book by being very meticulous in his writing style. He also performed such extensive research of Holcomb by describing every little detail about the town. This book was unique because of how Truman would talk about Perry Smith and Dick Hickock in one paragraph and then the next paragraph he would switch over to the Clutter family and what they were doing. He had so much information about the Clutters that he even described how the daughter Nancy was helping a little girl learn to bake a pie. By explaining in detail of what happened the day of the murder made this book so interesting that I could not put it down until I read the whole thing. When a writer explains all of the details in this way, someone who reads this book can understand what must have happened and how surprised the town was to have this happen to such a nice family in the community. I was very impressed with how Truman was so particular in his details of the murder itself. Truman identified every piece of the murder and by doing this, I felt like I got to know every character in the book. I know that with forensics today some murders do not take as long to solve, but back in 1959 murders were very rare. This murder case was so intriguing because the police did not have all of the technology of today to help solve this murder. The murder was solved with simple police tactics and this is partially what made the book so interesting for me to read. I would recommend that anyone who likes to read books of this nature, "Cold Blood" would be of interest to them.

There are only a handful of "perfect" books out in the world. You know what I mean: Books that have a great dramatic arc; books that make "sense;" Books that bring everything together; Books that seem "Classic" even though they might have been written only a few years ago. A few come to mind. Steinbeck's EAST OF EDEN is one. McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD is another. And, yes, IN COLD BLOOD is yet a third. There are a few more, but then, everyone has their opinion, so I'll leave it at that. Suffice it to say that this Capote book will NOT disappoint you with its great yet disturbing story. And lest you think that we're (as a society) numb to murder, violence, and the workings of a sick mind, think again, for Capote's brilliant work will still make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. It sounds cliche to say "Classic" but that's just what it is.