In Cold Blood cover art

In Cold Blood

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

About this listen

 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. Americas Murder Social Sciences State & Local True Crime United States Crime Exciting Scary Fiction

Critic reviews

"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
All stars
Most relevant
This is one of the most well-written true crime books I have heard. It is like a psychological thriller and presents the perpetrators sympathetically without excusing their crimes. Scott Brick is also a fine narrator. I remember his clean, crisp narration of Helter Skelter. He does not disappoint in this book either. I would highly recommend this book!

Scary, sad and compelling

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Despite the case being 60 years old and the original book written over 50 years ago, this stands the test of time. A really well written, well balanced story that doesn’t, in my opinion, feel like a story written so long ago. It is helped by a really excellent narrator. I would recommend this to anyone liking true crime.

Stands the test of time

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What a fantastic listen to I have been reading and listening to true crime for 40 years can't believe I didn't know about this book best one ever.

Brilliant

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I’d wanted to listen to this book ever since watching the film Capote. It’s fascinating to hear about the killers and the way their minds work - if a little terrifying at the same time. Also, you’re in good hands with Scott Brick narrating. The book does have a slow middle around the end of Chapter 2 Persons Unknown, but picks up again all the way to the finish. Desperate to watch Capote again now.

Morbidly fascinating profile of killers

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The story is captivating throughout, and the narrator truly does it justice. Wholeheartedly recommended.

Excellent in every way

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews