In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Truman Capote

“I despise people who can't control themselves.” 

“Imagination, of course, can open any door - turn the key and let terror walk right in.”

“The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call “out there.” 

        I read this book before my Senior year of high-school, most of the time laying in bed when everyone else in the house was already asleep, a mistake. I found myself having trouble sleeping because every sound coming from various parts of my house were undoubtedly a killer looking for some money and people to shoot, it didn't help that there had recently been a spree of  B&E's in my neighborhood.  For sure, one of the more horrifying novels that I have read because thats just it, it isn't even a novel, its a true story.  Some say that Capote created the genre of a non-fiction novel.  He followed the story for six years taking vigorous notes and conducting in depth interviews with all people involved .  The result was a scary and threatening work in which the reader was allowed into the twisted thoughts of the murderers.  Capote traces the entire story back to the fact that it was complete chance that these killers chose to target this family, and that is the scariest bit, the bit that stopped me from sleeping: it could have been any family. Besides learning the sickening thoughts that lead to the killers entering the family's home, Capote takes you through their actions within the home that are, at points, hard to handle. Getting into the killer's head is what makes this novel incredibly creepy, but also what makes this novel irresistible and captivating.  You learn that there is not good in every human being, some people live their lives with only the worst of intentions.  If every non-fiction piece could be written in such a manner, the book-world would be a better (and more frequently visited) place. 4.5/5