This is a true story about the 1959 murders of Herb Clutter, a wealthy farmer in Holcomb, Kansas; his wife, Bonnie; his daughter, Nancy; and his son Kenyon by two ex-cons and would-be robbers - Richard Hickock and Perry Smith.

Capote spent six years of his life on this book and it shows. It's compelling, engaging, great prose and a real page-turner. Capote, with this novel, created a new genre of writing -- literary journalism. It reads like a mystery novel with "clues" and "build-ups" that you often forget that it is based on actual events. Also, the characterization is just brilliant -- he gives the readers a chance to get to know the Clutter family before the murders, and even kept a non-biased opinion about their killers. Great book. Great writer. I recommend it.