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  • In Cold Blood

  • Written by: Truman Capote
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (209 ratings)

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In Cold Blood

Written by: Truman Capote
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's Summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The most famous true crime novel of all time "chills the blood and exercises the intelligence" (The New York Review of Books)—and haunted its author long after he finished writing it.

On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues.

In one of the first non-fiction novels ever written, Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and the investigation 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.

©1965 Truman Capote (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

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.

What listeners say about In Cold Blood

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    1 out of 5 stars

I cant recommend this book

I tried this book out because of the hype. I had just finished Helter Skelter and was recommended this book, and seeing how people described it as the definitive crime book, I had to try it and couldn't wait. What a slow drag it was. I couldn't finish it. Every day I wanted to return it but forced myself to keep listening, telling myself once it got through the first bit it would start to get interesting. 5 hours in and we know a bit about the victims, regular people for the time, and their town of a few people, and a bit about the killers, but nothing interesting or engaging. The author keeps going on with the conversations that the people are having as if he was there, and I kept waiting to understand "how do you know exactly what they said?". I never got there. I can not recommend this book. If you ask me, if you want a really good book, get Helter Skelter. Chilling murders, mostly well explained, details on everyone is pertinent to the overall story, and the conversations are described from early on in the book as what was actually said (recordings, notes, letters, etc). This mattered to reinforce everything else and didn't feel made up. I think if In Cold Blood was written in a similar fashion it would have held my attention. As it is, I just don't understand the hype. Maybe it was in the last 9 hours of the book, but I wont be finishing them.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Grisly and gritty

I’ve been meaning to read this book for a long time and it did not disappoint. Capote was a master.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Snorefest

I read this book because I’m a true crime junkie and it’s considered one of the all-time greatest works of true crime ever written... and I’m sure it was, in 1965. While it was well written, the story dragged on and I had a hard time even finishing it. I think this is one of those books that people claim to love because it’s a classic but the truth is they never got past chapter 5.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Well Performed Classic

Of all the audio-books I've listened to, this is a well performed masterpiece. A must have for your Library.

#Audible1

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Appreciate the book

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.





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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Too many rabbit holes

Beautifully written, but it was a struggle to finish. There were way too many rabbit holes and side stories it was hard not to get lost.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting read

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.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I still don’t see the hype

An underwhelming true crime story.
The generational gap in the detail(s) of true crime stories of this age and today is probably what makes this a ho hum listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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In Cold Blood

Was not expecting this book to be so descriptive, emotional, and personal. It was an enjoyable listen, although quite sad and disturbing at times.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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couldn't finish it

I tried to like this book but I just couldn't do it. I found the pace slow and it did not keep my attention. My reading time is something I look forward to but when I was listening to this book I found myself avoiding it.

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