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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

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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
    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
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great!

This story is told so well - written in an interesting and eloquent manner. No complaints on the narrator, pleasant voice with no annoyances! It’s been said before, but a must read for true crime fans!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Astonishing from start to finish!

I wept...I wept. I had read it once before and there were parts I remembered specifically but a lot had been forgotten. When portrayed in a reading the detail is even more pronounced and the unwavering nature of these boys, particularly Perry, juxtaposed to the reputation of the Clutter family painted a perfect, shall we say - balance, in my mind. The killer(s) held up against the image of a well respected and unimpeachably moral family. It left me feeling like there was NO WAY this actually happened. But rather it is the musings of an artist's mind. But it is...it is real, it did happen. And I wept for the boys, and all their wasted promise, as hard as I wept for the beautiful family who centred this story.

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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
    5 out of 5 stars
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Remarkable Exposé of an Unremarkable Crime

This is a very well-written tale about a desperate murder in a small rural community. Truman Capote dives deep into the personalities and motivations of the individuals involved (perpetrators, victims, and investigators). It’s fascinating.
Capote turns a relatively ordinary headline (botched robbery/murder) into an engrossing narrative.

Scott Brick is, as usual, excellent..but not incredible. Another reader could, perhaps, do a better job with this material..but Brick was a good choice.

Altogether, the critical acclaim for this story is warranted. I rate it 9 stars out of 10.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great true crime story

Truman Capote is such a great story teller. He really brings this story to true life

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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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❤👍

I have heard about this book for years.And finally I gave it a go. I loved it, made me sad at times. When a author catches your attention and your feelings, its gosh darn good.

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    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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