"The small town of Holcomb, Kansas is rocked by the murder of the prominent and beloved Clutter family. The brutal crime is committed with no apparent motive and no clear suspect. Truman Capote recreates the murder, investigation, trial and execution of the murders.
The book begins with the murders of the Clutters. The quiet town of holcom becomes the center of attention, and residents become paranoid that they might be the next targets of the murderers. Alvin Dewey, a resident of Holcomb, is on the investigation.
Capote follows the investigation and recreates what the killers did in the mean time. He follows them as they return to their parents house and then leave for travels to Mexico and Las Vegas where they are eventually caught and brought to justice.
A trial is held in Holcomb and the murders, Dick and Perry, are found guilty. Their reason for the murder was because they heard in prison that the Clutters had money, but were disappointed when there was nothing but pocket change in the house.
Capote follows the murders to death row until their hanging, painting an emotional protrait of the murder."
Pat Sommer, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of In Cold Blood
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book descript. of violence and chases - 20% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- depressing/sad
How difficult to spot villain?
- Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story:
- 1960's-1970's
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 60%
Special suspect?
- investigator him/herself
Murder of certain profession?
- "All in the family" murder
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- "All in the family" murder
Kind of investigator
- police procedural, American
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
The crook is....
- on the run from the law
Any non-mystery subplot?
- life in small town
Crime Thriller
Yes
Mostly a criminal POV story
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
General Crime (including known murderer)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- accused criminal
Age:
- 20's-30's
Eccentric/Mental:
Yes
Eccentric:
- emotionally unstable
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- revenge
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Small town?
Yes
Small town people:
- nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- very gorey references to deaths/dead bodies and torture
How many deaths?
- 5-7
Sex
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references
Amount of dialog
- significantly more descript than dialog
