"In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote is a gripping and true story about the mass murder of (on)? a respectful and loved family in northern Kansas. Four people lost their lives on September 15, 1959 when two young men broke into their home with the intention of robbing their safe which was supposed to contain $10,000. But the source who gave them the information about the safe was incorrect and they left home with only $40 and a radio, but with the responsibility of (taking four lives). The death of the four family members was a useless and brutal action by the two criminals. Capote describes in detail the people and places involved in the murder. It also creates an intimacy between the reader and the killers, victims, citizens, and investigators. Because this intimacy is created between the killers and the reader, a sympathy arises for the two young killers, which can be disturbing at times because you don't want to feel sorry for someone who committed such a terrible crime. Even though he feels sympathy for the murderers, Capotes still writes with objectivity that allows the reader to form their own opinion about the characters. It is sometimes difficult to follow the novel since Capote does not write the story in complete chronological order and since he mentions many names who sometimes may not have a major or important role in the story. The Clutter family lives in a small town called Holcomb. Herbert Clutter is a successful farmer and a born leader. He is among other things president of the Kansas Conference of Organizations and is a well known citizen, prominent in both Holcomb and Garden City. His wife is an invalid and has been a psychiatric patient for the past six years. Although Mr. Clutter's loyalty to his wife will never cease. and Mrs. Clutter have four children, three daughters and a son. Eveanna is the eldest and lives in northern Illinois with her baby and husband. Beverly, the second daughter, is engaged and the wedding is planned for Christmas. Their two youngest children still live at home, Kenyon and his sister Nancy, who is a year older. Both Kenyon and Nancy are excellent students. Nancy is the president of her class, leader of the Young Methodist League's 4-he program, an accomplished equestrian, and an excellent musician.