In Cold Blood is a nonfiction novel by Truman Capote that was first published in 1966 after first appearing in The New Yorker in a series of articles in 1965. In perhaps the most famous true crime book of all time, Capote reconstructs the investigation of the 1959 murders of a family of four in rural Kansas that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers—generating both mesmerizing suspense and astonishing empathy. In Cold Blood is a work that transcends its moment, yielding poignant insights into the nature of American violence.

Characters

See a complete list of the characters in In Cold Blood.

Deeper Study

Go further in your study of In Cold Blood with background information about Truman Capote and his nonfiction novel as well as mini essays about key topics.