A work of creative non-fiction Written like a novel, but true. Not necessarily chronological Told from alternating points of view

Born 1925 Childhood friend of Nell Harper Lee Novel first serialized in The New Yorker in 1965 Novel launched his career to the high society circles Died 1984

Capote first learned of the murders through an article in the New York Times

After reading that article, Capote was interested in how crime like this would affect a small, American town like Holcomb. Convinced his current employer, The New Yorker, to send him to Kansas to investigate Harper Lee helped with the interviews Uses accounts told by others prior to meeting those involved with the case, as well as accounts of his own personal interviews with the murderers

Journalism that is characterized by the reporter’s subjective interpretations and often features fictionalized dramatized elements to emphasize personal involvement. Term coined by Tom Wolfe who wrote the book entitled The New Journalism Capote’s In Cold Blood is considered to fall into this category although he called it a “nonfiction novel” Said to “dethrone” the novel as the #1 literary genre at the time. First reaction from many was that it wasn’t factual

Law and Order

Setting

The road to the Clutter home

The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call “out there.” Clutter Family Home (as it stands today)

The Victims The Criminals The Witnesses The Investigators

The Victims

Head of the Clutter household Well-liked, respected member of the Holcomb community Fairly prosperous

Wife of Herb Clutter Mother of four A recluse

Daughter of Herb and Bonnie Clutter Well-liked and popular Bright, energetic, responsible Dating Bobby Rupp

Son of Herb and Bonnie Clutter Quiet and reserved Enjoys working with his hands Fifteen years old

Convicted thief Sentenced to Kansas State Penitentiary Met Dick Hickock in jail

Inmate in Kansas State Penitentiary Friend of Perry Smith Learned of Clutter family from fellow inmate Floyd Wells

Past employee of Herb Clutter Tells Hickcock that the Clutters are wealthy Connects Hickcock and Smith to the deaths of the Clutters

KBI

Main detective in the Clutter investigation Acquaintance of Herb Clutter

KBI Supervisor Al Dewey, County Attorney Duane West, Sheriff Earl Robinson, and KBI Agent Clarence Duntz. (left to right)