IN 1959 Truman Capote was already the successful and lionised author of Breakfast At Tiffany s when he saw a small news item about the murder of a mother, father and two children on a remote Kansas farm. The story fascinated Capote, who was looking for a

IN 1959 Truman Capote was already the successful and lionised author of Breakfast At Tiffany's when he saw a small news item about the murder of a mother, father and two children on a remote Kansas farm.

The story fascinated Capote, who was looking for a major project to flex his muscles on. With his childhood friend, fellow writer Harper Lee, he went to Kansas to learn all he could about the brutal killings.

He succeeded so well that he not only discovered intimate details about the victims, he also found everything out about the killers, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith.

Capote's problems and his triumph lay there, in the semi love affair he had with Perry, whose tormented soul mirrored his own. It is that very understanding and empathy that make In Cold Blood such a striking and moving work.

The book is a glorious unequivocal success and it spawned a new genre of literary faction. It also leaves the reader bemused as to the complexities of human nature, so rich, so tender and so cruel. 5/5