What do you think?
Rate this book
And Every Word Is True
Truman Capote’s bestselling book “In Cold Blood” has captivated worldwide audiences for over fifty years. It is a gripping story about the consequences of a trivial robbery gone terribly wrong in a remote village of western Kansas.
But what if robbery was not the motive at all, but something more sinister? And why would the Kansas Bureau of Investigation press the Attorney General to launch a ruthless four-year legal battle to prevent fresh details of the State’s most famous crime from being made public, so many years after the case had been solved?
Based on stunning new details discovered in the personal journals and archives of former KBI Director Harold Nye—and corroborated by letters written by Richard Hickock, one of the killers on Death Row—“And Every Word Is True” meticulously lays out a vivid and startling new view of the investigation, one that will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they pick up where Capote left off. Even readers new to the story will find themselves drawn into a spellbinding forensic investigation that reads like a thriller, adding new perspectives to the classic tale of an iconic American crime.
But what if robbery was not the motive at all, but something more sinister? And why would the Kansas Bureau of Investigation press the Attorney General to launch a ruthless four-year legal battle to prevent fresh details of the State’s most famous crime from being made public, so many years after the case had been solved?
Based on stunning new details discovered in the personal journals and archives of former KBI Director Harold Nye—and corroborated by letters written by Richard Hickock, one of the killers on Death Row—“And Every Word Is True” meticulously lays out a vivid and startling new view of the investigation, one that will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they pick up where Capote left off. Even readers new to the story will find themselves drawn into a spellbinding forensic investigation that reads like a thriller, adding new perspectives to the classic tale of an iconic American crime.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2019
153 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
About the author
Gary McAvoy
34 books460 followersGary McAvoy is author of both fiction and nonfiction, including his bestselling thriller series “The Magdalene Chronicles,” and its sequel series, “Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers.” His nonfiction work “And Every Word Is True” has been hailed as a sequel to Truman Capote's landmark book “In Cold Blood.” Gary is also a professional collector of ancient manuscripts and historical documents, much of which informs his writing projects.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Read
March 11, 2019And Every Word Is True: Newfound documents reveal Truman Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood’ is not the end of the story- and why Kansas waged a legal battle to suppress their publication
This turned out to be an interesting read, taking me back to the original story first and then filling in even more information with new twists on the case. Something I learned is that the famed author Harper Lee was also very involved in the day to day interviewing and writing up notes to be used for the 'In Cold Blood' book too. A lot of people felt that Capote should have given her more credit in the book other than as a lowly researchist and protege. When her book (To Kill a Mockingbird) was published in July 1960, she was established as a leading literary figure. One of the three original investigators on the case, Harold Nye, kept a personal set of investigative files on the Clutter case as he did on all of his cases, in the event he ever had to testify for trial. After his passing, his son Ronald Nye was looking to sell some of his father’s personal papers and books on the Clutter case to raise some money to help with medical bills. When the KBI stepped in with an injunction to halt the auction, it made him immediately curious about what was in there that is so important all of a sudden to cause this kind of a reaction. What did they not want to get out?
For one thing, it turned out that Capote’s work wasn’t as completely true as he made it out to be. And it seemed there might be a reason they wanted the files kept private, after all. There was also a book being written from the papers of one of the killers too, as it turned out it seemed. How would that compare to what had been written so far too? Ron wasn’t giving up his father’s papers without a battle. This is very good historical true crime and I enjoyed it very much. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Gary McAvoy, and the publisher for my fair review.
Full review is shown on my BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
This turned out to be an interesting read, taking me back to the original story first and then filling in even more information with new twists on the case. Something I learned is that the famed author Harper Lee was also very involved in the day to day interviewing and writing up notes to be used for the 'In Cold Blood' book too. A lot of people felt that Capote should have given her more credit in the book other than as a lowly researchist and protege. When her book (To Kill a Mockingbird) was published in July 1960, she was established as a leading literary figure. One of the three original investigators on the case, Harold Nye, kept a personal set of investigative files on the Clutter case as he did on all of his cases, in the event he ever had to testify for trial. After his passing, his son Ronald Nye was looking to sell some of his father’s personal papers and books on the Clutter case to raise some money to help with medical bills. When the KBI stepped in with an injunction to halt the auction, it made him immediately curious about what was in there that is so important all of a sudden to cause this kind of a reaction. What did they not want to get out?
For one thing, it turned out that Capote’s work wasn’t as completely true as he made it out to be. And it seemed there might be a reason they wanted the files kept private, after all. There was also a book being written from the papers of one of the killers too, as it turned out it seemed. How would that compare to what had been written so far too? Ron wasn’t giving up his father’s papers without a battle. This is very good historical true crime and I enjoyed it very much. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Gary McAvoy, and the publisher for my fair review.
Full review is shown on my BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
April 27, 2022
After reading In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, I wanted to know a little more about the subject matter. Interestingly enough, I was given a book by an author friend of mine, which recounts his research and analysis into the story of the Clutter murders and how the truth was much more complicated than first revealed in Capote’s stellar book. Gary McAvoy sought to turn the hunt for the real story behind those slayings in 1959 into this wonderful piece of non-fiction. Riveting until the final page turn, McAvoy shows how versatile his writing can be, as this is nothing like those novels of his I have come to enjoy over the past few years.
White Truman Capote’s most popular book surely stirred up some interesting emotions since its publication in 1965, many are left to wonder if it is the full story. When Ron Nye reached out to Gary McAvoy, the two hit it off immediately and their thirst for knowledge around the slaying of the Clutter family began. Nye, son of the former head of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, had some documents that his father kept from the crimes, which told not only the public version of events that Capote documented in his book, but deeper and more troubling ideas. Nye and McAvoy worked tirelessly to peel things back and discover truths relating to the murders, the victims, as well as the two men collared for committing the crimes.
While all this seems reasonable and should open up new lines of communication, it would seem that Kansas officials wanted nothing to do with the investigation, nor were they forthcoming about releasing documents held under lock and key. As McAvoy posits, it was as though they did not want to truth to come out. The author delves deeper into the goings-on in the small Kansas town and makes some substantiated assumptions about how the Clutters lived their lives and the popularity they had around the community. There are also some curious discussions about how Dick Hickock and Perry Smith might have been raised to turn them into killers. These men were surely cold-blooded killers, but there is more to the story that never made it into Capote’s book. McAvoy shines a light on them and their motive throughout the latter portion of the tome.
McAvoy does not seek to smear anyone, or even point fingers at a cover-up, but the push back for information makes it clear that there are many who feel the case is closed and best left that way. Some might surmise that Kansas officials felt Capote’s piece went about as far as it should have in revealing what happened on that November night in 1959, choosing not to allow any further extrapolation to open new veins of analysis. The truth is out there and yet it seems stymied by some unspoken reason that McAvoy could not crack.
While I am so used to the Vatican style thrillers that Gary McAvoy has penned, I was highly impressed with this piece of non-fiction. It sought not to turn over stones for the sake of making a ruckus, but actually connect dots that have long been left hidden or unanswered. McAvoy presents his findings in a clear and concise manner, allowing the reader to follow what is going on with ease throughout. I am glad that I read In Cold Blood recently, as the arguments from that book are fresh in my mind, allowing me to draw needed parallels whenever possible and see how McAvoy connected his research to the public record. I am coming to really enjoy true crime and will have to read more of it, when time permits. McAvoy surely made this an interesting experience and he forced me to stop waiting around wondering about Truman Capote’s famous work.
Kudos, Mr. McAvoy, for opening my eyes to many of the happenings in this case of which I was not familiar. I am eager to see what else I can find to whet my appetite.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
White Truman Capote’s most popular book surely stirred up some interesting emotions since its publication in 1965, many are left to wonder if it is the full story. When Ron Nye reached out to Gary McAvoy, the two hit it off immediately and their thirst for knowledge around the slaying of the Clutter family began. Nye, son of the former head of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, had some documents that his father kept from the crimes, which told not only the public version of events that Capote documented in his book, but deeper and more troubling ideas. Nye and McAvoy worked tirelessly to peel things back and discover truths relating to the murders, the victims, as well as the two men collared for committing the crimes.
While all this seems reasonable and should open up new lines of communication, it would seem that Kansas officials wanted nothing to do with the investigation, nor were they forthcoming about releasing documents held under lock and key. As McAvoy posits, it was as though they did not want to truth to come out. The author delves deeper into the goings-on in the small Kansas town and makes some substantiated assumptions about how the Clutters lived their lives and the popularity they had around the community. There are also some curious discussions about how Dick Hickock and Perry Smith might have been raised to turn them into killers. These men were surely cold-blooded killers, but there is more to the story that never made it into Capote’s book. McAvoy shines a light on them and their motive throughout the latter portion of the tome.
McAvoy does not seek to smear anyone, or even point fingers at a cover-up, but the push back for information makes it clear that there are many who feel the case is closed and best left that way. Some might surmise that Kansas officials felt Capote’s piece went about as far as it should have in revealing what happened on that November night in 1959, choosing not to allow any further extrapolation to open new veins of analysis. The truth is out there and yet it seems stymied by some unspoken reason that McAvoy could not crack.
While I am so used to the Vatican style thrillers that Gary McAvoy has penned, I was highly impressed with this piece of non-fiction. It sought not to turn over stones for the sake of making a ruckus, but actually connect dots that have long been left hidden or unanswered. McAvoy presents his findings in a clear and concise manner, allowing the reader to follow what is going on with ease throughout. I am glad that I read In Cold Blood recently, as the arguments from that book are fresh in my mind, allowing me to draw needed parallels whenever possible and see how McAvoy connected his research to the public record. I am coming to really enjoy true crime and will have to read more of it, when time permits. McAvoy surely made this an interesting experience and he forced me to stop waiting around wondering about Truman Capote’s famous work.
Kudos, Mr. McAvoy, for opening my eyes to many of the happenings in this case of which I was not familiar. I am eager to see what else I can find to whet my appetite.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 29, 2019
3.5 stars
" . . . my book is the story of their lives and their deaths [the Clutter family and murder suspects Smith and Hickock]. It's a completely factual account and every word is true." -- author / journalist Truman Capote
Interesting sequel of sorts to Capote's true-crime classic In Cold Blood, McAvoy's True examines if there was more to the infamous story of the ex-convict duo brutally murdering a Kansas farm family in late 1959. Thankfully, it's not that law enforcement agencies made mistakes (as the involved core of officers and investigators are depicted as an honest and diligent group, both here and in Capote's work) but that other avenues or possible leads were not fully explored or considered, such as a possible premeditated murder conspiracy and/or involvement of another unidentified person. Was that because the arrest / conviction / execution of the two suspects neatly put the 'case closed' lid on the entire incident, or was there something more sinister at play? Nicely, McAvoy doesn't come off as a historical revisionist / theorist but simply raises valid questions about this 60 year-old crime.
" . . . my book is the story of their lives and their deaths [the Clutter family and murder suspects Smith and Hickock]. It's a completely factual account and every word is true." -- author / journalist Truman Capote
Interesting sequel of sorts to Capote's true-crime classic In Cold Blood, McAvoy's True examines if there was more to the infamous story of the ex-convict duo brutally murdering a Kansas farm family in late 1959. Thankfully, it's not that law enforcement agencies made mistakes (as the involved core of officers and investigators are depicted as an honest and diligent group, both here and in Capote's work) but that other avenues or possible leads were not fully explored or considered, such as a possible premeditated murder conspiracy and/or involvement of another unidentified person. Was that because the arrest / conviction / execution of the two suspects neatly put the 'case closed' lid on the entire incident, or was there something more sinister at play? Nicely, McAvoy doesn't come off as a historical revisionist / theorist but simply raises valid questions about this 60 year-old crime.
June 5, 2025
Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood has never been out of print and was basically the True Crime book to influence the genre.
You’re supposed to believe it was a robbery gone wrong when the thieves murdered the Clutter family even though there wasn’t the safe they were looking for. Two of the Clutters were tied up in bed then shot in the head. It was November 1959.
Everyone believed Capote’s book about it which he did say was a novel based on truth. Apparently it really wasn’t so true. I mean, the truth was selective. There were ignored clues and sealed documents and apparently Kansas doesn’t want further investigation. This book gets into it thoroughly and is good.
It would seem that probably a hit was taken out on Herb Clutter and he at least wasn’t innocent.
You’re supposed to believe it was a robbery gone wrong when the thieves murdered the Clutter family even though there wasn’t the safe they were looking for. Two of the Clutters were tied up in bed then shot in the head. It was November 1959.
Everyone believed Capote’s book about it which he did say was a novel based on truth. Apparently it really wasn’t so true. I mean, the truth was selective. There were ignored clues and sealed documents and apparently Kansas doesn’t want further investigation. This book gets into it thoroughly and is good.
It would seem that probably a hit was taken out on Herb Clutter and he at least wasn’t innocent.
April 18, 2019
Just about every one I know has read Truman Capote's IN COLD BLOOD ... or seen the TV Movie... or read about it in the news. It was some time later that I met someone whose family had been friends with the Clutters.
This book explores the possibility that there might have been other reasons for this crime. Supposedly new details were discovered as well as a letter written by Richard Hickok, one of the killers. This alone made me wonder why this was never released ... why was it buried?
Book Blurb: Even readers new to the story will find themselves drawn into a spellbinding forensic investigation that reads like a thriller, adding new perspectives to the classic tale of an iconic American crime.
I read this one in one night ... hoping to be enthralled, entranced, riveted by a continuing story of the Clutters. That's not exactly what I got. The new 'facts' were actually told in a boring manner. However, anyone who has read and liked IN COLD BLOOD will find this interesting.
Many thanks to the author / Literati Editions / Netgalley for the digital copy of the book that will take you back to 1959. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
This book explores the possibility that there might have been other reasons for this crime. Supposedly new details were discovered as well as a letter written by Richard Hickok, one of the killers. This alone made me wonder why this was never released ... why was it buried?
Book Blurb: Even readers new to the story will find themselves drawn into a spellbinding forensic investigation that reads like a thriller, adding new perspectives to the classic tale of an iconic American crime.
I read this one in one night ... hoping to be enthralled, entranced, riveted by a continuing story of the Clutters. That's not exactly what I got. The new 'facts' were actually told in a boring manner. However, anyone who has read and liked IN COLD BLOOD will find this interesting.
Many thanks to the author / Literati Editions / Netgalley for the digital copy of the book that will take you back to 1959. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 11, 2019
The title of this book is a quote by Truman Capote about his most famous book "In Cold Blood". Published in 1966, it detailed the murder of four members of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas in 1959 and the subsequent arrest and trial of two men, Richard "Dick" Hickock and Perry Smith, found guilty of the killings. Capote's book was hailed as a masterpiece - one of the first "non fiction novels".
‘And Every Word is True’ by Gary McAvoy shows an alternative view of these murders, based on the personal files of Director Harold Nye of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), one of the original investigators of the Clutter family murders. It is reinforced by letters written by Richard Hickock while he was on Death Row.
After Harold Nye's death, his son Ronald was looking to auction off some of his father’s personal papers and notebooks on the Clutter case to raise money to pay medical bills. When word of this leaked out, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation filed an injunction to stop the auction leading to a 4 year legal battle to prevent these details being made public. People wondered why so much fuss was being made over a robbery gone wrong in a remote Kansas farming community half a century ago?
But what if the motive for the murders wasn't robbery? This book details previously unknown facts of the investigation suggesting a different reason behind the Clutter family killings. I found the early part of the story, outlining the legal fight to make Harold Nye's files public, somewhat slow-moving and unexciting. But, overall, it provides fresh insight into the crime which made Truman Capote's reputation as a writer and "In Cold Blood" one of the biggest selling true crime book of all time.
‘And Every Word is True’ by Gary McAvoy shows an alternative view of these murders, based on the personal files of Director Harold Nye of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), one of the original investigators of the Clutter family murders. It is reinforced by letters written by Richard Hickock while he was on Death Row.
After Harold Nye's death, his son Ronald was looking to auction off some of his father’s personal papers and notebooks on the Clutter case to raise money to pay medical bills. When word of this leaked out, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation filed an injunction to stop the auction leading to a 4 year legal battle to prevent these details being made public. People wondered why so much fuss was being made over a robbery gone wrong in a remote Kansas farming community half a century ago?
But what if the motive for the murders wasn't robbery? This book details previously unknown facts of the investigation suggesting a different reason behind the Clutter family killings. I found the early part of the story, outlining the legal fight to make Harold Nye's files public, somewhat slow-moving and unexciting. But, overall, it provides fresh insight into the crime which made Truman Capote's reputation as a writer and "In Cold Blood" one of the biggest selling true crime book of all time.
February 28, 2024
I read Truman Capote's In Cold Blood far too young and am still haunted by Nancy Clutter, helping a friend bake an apple pie her last day of life and writing in her journal nightly, every year in a different ink color. We all know who killed the Clutter family ... but this book asks WHY were they killed?
The book repeats things over and over quite a few times, and the overall organization is somewhat strange, but here is what really struck me:
After the news spread about the murder, most of the local law men (including Alvin Dewey who was a friend of Herb Clutter) felt the answer lay close to home. Herb Clutter was not the provincial wheat farmer Capote portrays - he was the founder of the Kansas Wheat Association, had served on national agricultural boards, even had ties to the White House. And Clutter had made enemies along the way.
Richard Hickok wrote of being paid $5,000 to murder Clutter, and that after the murder they only had an hour before having to meet "Roberts." And indeed, an hour after the murders, two men who fit the descriptions of Perry Smith and Hickok were seen meeting an unknown man in a diner 30 miles or so away from Garden City.
Supposedly Frank Miles in prison told Hickok about the Clutter home and the safe full of money. Miles drew a map for Hickok detailing where each family member slept .... except the house the Clutters were currently living in wasn't BUILT when Miles worked on the Clutter farm.
The author was provided investigative notebooks from Harold Nye's son Ronald. Nye was the major investigator on the Clutter case and always felt something was hinky about the case. He always kept notebooks on hand to write his observations and thoughts. When working on this book, the state of Kansas SUED them to prevent publication. They claimed the notebooks belonged to the State, they claimed that further investigation would disrupt the privacy of the families (this despite the fact that the knife that cut Herb Clutter's THROAT is displayed in some state office lobby), they made all sorts of outrageous claims which the judge threw out and made them pay the cost of the litigation - almost $4,000,000.
Why did Kansas fight tooth and nail to prevent this information from seeing the light of day? Why does the state have so little documentation from the case and trial?
Looking at the case from the outside, there were enough clues and odd circumstances that make the motive questionable ("It was robbery, simple robbery, nothing to see here .... move along") and yet there was little in the way of trying to follow-up on any of this. The State was willing to let Capote have access to everything (and he had full access to FBI files as well) and once the book was done, according to the State, In Cold Blood was the complete and full summary of the case.
I used to lie awake at bed in night thinking of the poor Clutter family. After reading this book, I actually laid awake wondering what really brought that awful night into motion. A fascinating book that everyone needs to read and ponder. 5 stars for the material and 3.5 stars for the telling which is at times is a bit convoluted.
I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Vist my new blog - I Love True Crime Books!
The book repeats things over and over quite a few times, and the overall organization is somewhat strange, but here is what really struck me:
After the news spread about the murder, most of the local law men (including Alvin Dewey who was a friend of Herb Clutter) felt the answer lay close to home. Herb Clutter was not the provincial wheat farmer Capote portrays - he was the founder of the Kansas Wheat Association, had served on national agricultural boards, even had ties to the White House. And Clutter had made enemies along the way.
Richard Hickok wrote of being paid $5,000 to murder Clutter, and that after the murder they only had an hour before having to meet "Roberts." And indeed, an hour after the murders, two men who fit the descriptions of Perry Smith and Hickok were seen meeting an unknown man in a diner 30 miles or so away from Garden City.
Supposedly Frank Miles in prison told Hickok about the Clutter home and the safe full of money. Miles drew a map for Hickok detailing where each family member slept .... except the house the Clutters were currently living in wasn't BUILT when Miles worked on the Clutter farm.
The author was provided investigative notebooks from Harold Nye's son Ronald. Nye was the major investigator on the Clutter case and always felt something was hinky about the case. He always kept notebooks on hand to write his observations and thoughts. When working on this book, the state of Kansas SUED them to prevent publication. They claimed the notebooks belonged to the State, they claimed that further investigation would disrupt the privacy of the families (this despite the fact that the knife that cut Herb Clutter's THROAT is displayed in some state office lobby), they made all sorts of outrageous claims which the judge threw out and made them pay the cost of the litigation - almost $4,000,000.
Why did Kansas fight tooth and nail to prevent this information from seeing the light of day? Why does the state have so little documentation from the case and trial?
Looking at the case from the outside, there were enough clues and odd circumstances that make the motive questionable ("It was robbery, simple robbery, nothing to see here .... move along") and yet there was little in the way of trying to follow-up on any of this. The State was willing to let Capote have access to everything (and he had full access to FBI files as well) and once the book was done, according to the State, In Cold Blood was the complete and full summary of the case.
I used to lie awake at bed in night thinking of the poor Clutter family. After reading this book, I actually laid awake wondering what really brought that awful night into motion. A fascinating book that everyone needs to read and ponder. 5 stars for the material and 3.5 stars for the telling which is at times is a bit convoluted.
I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Vist my new blog - I Love True Crime Books!
October 4, 2019
New stuff wow! Craziness! Have to read if you thought something was off in In Cold Blood by Truman Capote!
February 27, 2019
I was not even born when this murder took place. Not to mention the book written by Truman Capote. Yet, this does not mean that I can't still appreciate a good true crime novel. Mr. McAvoy did a good job of putting together all of the facts about this case into a well written and intriguing book.
What I was drawn to the most were the actual artifacts from the case that were incorporated into this book. Many pictures, letters, and other items. These artifacts made this book more interactive for me and took my reading experience to the next level. In turn I flew through this book. In other words a very fast read for me. True crime fans will enjoy this book.
What I was drawn to the most were the actual artifacts from the case that were incorporated into this book. Many pictures, letters, and other items. These artifacts made this book more interactive for me and took my reading experience to the next level. In turn I flew through this book. In other words a very fast read for me. True crime fans will enjoy this book.
April 16, 2019
For the true crime fan, Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood is a masterstroke of true crime writing. Shining a captivating and spellbinding light on the murder of the Clutter family in Kansas in 1959, Capote’s non-fiction novel approach to the telling of a shocking true crime case made his book an international bestseller. Truman Capote once said himself during an interview with Newsweek in 1966, one year after the book was published, “It’s a completely factual account and every word is true.” A statement that gave this new book its name.
And Every Word Is True written by Gary McAvoy has taken six years of research to produce. Six years of painstaking exploration and critical analysis with fresh eyes on fresh evidence. The discovery of personal papers and notebooks of Harold R. Nye, a lead field investigator in the Clutter murder case and Special Agent for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation who went on to become the Bureau’s Director, has broken the Clutter killings wide open. Gary McAvoy has not written this book in a quest to discredit In Cold Blood or Truman Capote. In fact, he is highly respectful to both throughout the book ensuring the reader knows this is not his intention. And Every Word Is True is clearly presented as a sequel rather than a critique.
The book challenges a number of baseline facts we thought we knew; the rosy picture of family life and upstanding community member in Herbert Clutter and the motive for the murders being a simple robbery. Furthermore, it introduces new questions; was there a third man involved in the killings? Were the Clutters killed under a murder-for-hire plot or was Herbert Clutter targeted due to unsatisfactory business dealings in the community by someone local holding a grudge?
There is admiration for the dedication to seeing this project through and the time and effort put into this writing is abundantly clear. Whether you have read In Cold Blood or not, the Clutter family murder case and this remarkable new book will have you engrossed, curious and following the trail for the truth.
And Every Word Is True written by Gary McAvoy has taken six years of research to produce. Six years of painstaking exploration and critical analysis with fresh eyes on fresh evidence. The discovery of personal papers and notebooks of Harold R. Nye, a lead field investigator in the Clutter murder case and Special Agent for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation who went on to become the Bureau’s Director, has broken the Clutter killings wide open. Gary McAvoy has not written this book in a quest to discredit In Cold Blood or Truman Capote. In fact, he is highly respectful to both throughout the book ensuring the reader knows this is not his intention. And Every Word Is True is clearly presented as a sequel rather than a critique.
The book challenges a number of baseline facts we thought we knew; the rosy picture of family life and upstanding community member in Herbert Clutter and the motive for the murders being a simple robbery. Furthermore, it introduces new questions; was there a third man involved in the killings? Were the Clutters killed under a murder-for-hire plot or was Herbert Clutter targeted due to unsatisfactory business dealings in the community by someone local holding a grudge?
There is admiration for the dedication to seeing this project through and the time and effort put into this writing is abundantly clear. Whether you have read In Cold Blood or not, the Clutter family murder case and this remarkable new book will have you engrossed, curious and following the trail for the truth.
September 11, 2019
Wow! A new look and new information about an old crime! If you are a true crime lover, you need to read this book! Certainly worth consideration!
March 11, 2019
This true crime book explores the Clutter family Kansas murder case which formed the basis of Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood." The author does a good job in explaining why some of Capote's conclusions and 'facts' are not true. The accompanying photos and documents give credence to McAvoy's claims that perhaps robbery had not been the motive for the killings.
June 17, 2021
Much of what people know about the 1959 Clutter murders is what they’ve derived from Truman Capote’s self-proclaimed ‘non-fiction novel’, In Cold Blood. In Cold Blood is a fantastic read. When it was first published in 1966, it took the literary world by storm. Written with a novelist’s dramatic flair, In Cold Blood tells the tragic true story of a quadruple homicide. Some non-fiction books are just page after page of drily delivered facts, but Capote’s writerly ability ensured that In Cold Blood‘s cast of characters – from the victims themselves to the investigators seeking justice – transcended mere printed words. Every person written about feels as real to the reader as they did to Capote when he was interviewing them as part of his research. For me, this is part of what makes In Cold Blood such a haunting read. As a reader, you almost feel as though you’re there, be it when Holcomb and Garden City residents are relaying their shock and dismay at the crime, or when, at the end of the book, Smith and Hickock are being executed. However, Capote evidently wanted to write a sensationalist book and, as many people directly involved in the case have confirmed, he fabricated and altered details to make it such.
After rereading In Cold Blood about a month or so ago and subsequently learning more about the doubts surrounding its veracity, I decided that I wanted to read a more impartial account of the case. In swept Gary McAvoy and his book, And Every Word Is True, ready to turn everything that I thought I knew about the Clutter murders on its head.
For me, And Every Word Is True is jaw-droppingly shocking in its revelations. Every claim is backed up by actual evidence, be it from the late former director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Harold Nye’s personal notebooks or letters penned by killers Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. Over the course of the book, McAvoy reveals that the Clutter case might not have been as cut and dried as everyone, including Capote himself, believed. Physical pieces of evidence prove that there was far more to the Clutter murders than a botched robbery. For example, letters written by Hickock speak of a mysterious man that he and Smith met up with within an hour of the murders, with the intention, it seems, of getting paid “five thousand bucks”. This is but one of many revelations.
McAvoy also discusses the legal battle that the KBI waged against him and Harold Nye’s son, Ronald, in regards to the ownership of Harold’s personal notebooks and documents on the case. The implication is that the KBI were somehow involved in a coverup regarding the Clutter murders and that they were perhaps concerned about the truth coming to light through Harold Nye’s notes and other documents about the case. Obviously, I haven’t done even 1% of the research that McAvoy has, nor have I seen much of the documentation that was in Harold Nye’s possession for decades. However, I feel it’s perhaps more a case of the KBI being horrendously embarrassed by the fact that their own official accounts on the murders are based on In Cold Blood rather than actual evidence. Perhaps they wanted to gain ownership of Harold Nye’s notes, letters and documents to prevent the KBI’s ineptitude becoming public knowledge. That’s just my personal opinion anyway.
I highly recommend And Every Word Is True to any true crime fanatic and to anyone who’s read In Cold Blood. If you’re interested in this book, but haven’t read In Cold Blood, I recommend starting with that first.
After rereading In Cold Blood about a month or so ago and subsequently learning more about the doubts surrounding its veracity, I decided that I wanted to read a more impartial account of the case. In swept Gary McAvoy and his book, And Every Word Is True, ready to turn everything that I thought I knew about the Clutter murders on its head.
For me, And Every Word Is True is jaw-droppingly shocking in its revelations. Every claim is backed up by actual evidence, be it from the late former director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Harold Nye’s personal notebooks or letters penned by killers Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. Over the course of the book, McAvoy reveals that the Clutter case might not have been as cut and dried as everyone, including Capote himself, believed. Physical pieces of evidence prove that there was far more to the Clutter murders than a botched robbery. For example, letters written by Hickock speak of a mysterious man that he and Smith met up with within an hour of the murders, with the intention, it seems, of getting paid “five thousand bucks”. This is but one of many revelations.
McAvoy also discusses the legal battle that the KBI waged against him and Harold Nye’s son, Ronald, in regards to the ownership of Harold’s personal notebooks and documents on the case. The implication is that the KBI were somehow involved in a coverup regarding the Clutter murders and that they were perhaps concerned about the truth coming to light through Harold Nye’s notes and other documents about the case. Obviously, I haven’t done even 1% of the research that McAvoy has, nor have I seen much of the documentation that was in Harold Nye’s possession for decades. However, I feel it’s perhaps more a case of the KBI being horrendously embarrassed by the fact that their own official accounts on the murders are based on In Cold Blood rather than actual evidence. Perhaps they wanted to gain ownership of Harold Nye’s notes, letters and documents to prevent the KBI’s ineptitude becoming public knowledge. That’s just my personal opinion anyway.
I highly recommend And Every Word Is True to any true crime fanatic and to anyone who’s read In Cold Blood. If you’re interested in this book, but haven’t read In Cold Blood, I recommend starting with that first.
May 20, 2019
I need to read In Cold Blood. That would have made me more invested in And Every Word Is True. Once I got into this book, I started getting more invested, I just wanted to be that way through the whole thing.
I do like the concept of the novel. It was written in a different way, and I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book like this. The plot was intriguing and the thrills were definitely there.
Overall, I recommend this one. However I want to read the first novel and then re-read this one. I think it will be more impactful.
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Partners In Crime Tours. All opinions are my own.*
I do like the concept of the novel. It was written in a different way, and I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book like this. The plot was intriguing and the thrills were definitely there.
Overall, I recommend this one. However I want to read the first novel and then re-read this one. I think it will be more impactful.
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Partners In Crime Tours. All opinions are my own.*
July 4, 2020
( Format : Audiobook )
"Blame often falls to a scapegoat."
Almost fifty years after Truman Capote attended the hangings of Richard 'Dick' Hickock and Perry Smith for the murders of the Clutter family, author Gary McAvoy was asked by the son of one of the lead Kansas investigators on the case to find buyers for his father's notebooks. Harold Nye, then a special agent of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, had kept meticulous personal notes of his own thoughts and observations as well as case fi!es, photos and the signed first editions of Capote,s book, In Cold Blood, he'd been given. After his death, Ronald Nye rescued them from the destruction his mother had intended and, relucantly, hoped to raise money from their sale in order to help his sick ex wife. But after the publicity for the auction had been posted and an healthy interest generated, the KBI opposed the sale, trying to unlawfully seize the documents. Why? What did they not w ant discovered.
Written in a presentation not unlike Capote's own, doubts are raised about the veracity of aspects of the story which, although claimed to be a novel, was nevertheless held by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation as the definitive, and accurate, report of the killings and subsequent pursuit of the perpetrators. Not quite as thrilling as Capote's original, brilliant book, And Every Word is True, is still a fascinating story which does pose interesting questions. The author, Gary McAvoy, narrates his book well, with just occasional fractional hesitations, with good clarity, expression and intonation. He is easy to listen to and well paced, with some additional comments inserted by Ronald Nye, son of the KBI agent, Harold, who also reads well and clearly.
In no way does this book diminish Truman Capote's masterpiece but it does throw further light on both the attitudes of the place and politics of the time. Well worth reading, but not until after In Cold Blood.
"Blame often falls to a scapegoat."
Almost fifty years after Truman Capote attended the hangings of Richard 'Dick' Hickock and Perry Smith for the murders of the Clutter family, author Gary McAvoy was asked by the son of one of the lead Kansas investigators on the case to find buyers for his father's notebooks. Harold Nye, then a special agent of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, had kept meticulous personal notes of his own thoughts and observations as well as case fi!es, photos and the signed first editions of Capote,s book, In Cold Blood, he'd been given. After his death, Ronald Nye rescued them from the destruction his mother had intended and, relucantly, hoped to raise money from their sale in order to help his sick ex wife. But after the publicity for the auction had been posted and an healthy interest generated, the KBI opposed the sale, trying to unlawfully seize the documents. Why? What did they not w ant discovered.
Written in a presentation not unlike Capote's own, doubts are raised about the veracity of aspects of the story which, although claimed to be a novel, was nevertheless held by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation as the definitive, and accurate, report of the killings and subsequent pursuit of the perpetrators. Not quite as thrilling as Capote's original, brilliant book, And Every Word is True, is still a fascinating story which does pose interesting questions. The author, Gary McAvoy, narrates his book well, with just occasional fractional hesitations, with good clarity, expression and intonation. He is easy to listen to and well paced, with some additional comments inserted by Ronald Nye, son of the KBI agent, Harold, who also reads well and clearly.
In no way does this book diminish Truman Capote's masterpiece but it does throw further light on both the attitudes of the place and politics of the time. Well worth reading, but not until after In Cold Blood.
April 1, 2019
This is the first time I’ve read a non-fiction book with the subject of murder. I do follow a few TV programs which focus on the true accounts of solving murder cases. I am aware of the complexity and intense effort required to identify the killer(s). Given the victims in this book were killed in 1959, long before the development of current forensic technology, it is incredible that the police were able to quickly identify the men who killed the family. Or did they?
The author took on an enormous task suggesting that the authorities may have missed some clues and/or misinterpreted evidence. Gary McAvoy provided details after details that any current investigator would find inspiring. Even though each chapter reported minute details of the crime scene, interrogation reports, witness statements, personality profiles and more, my attention was held. Not easy for any author given my penchant for drama.
The ending left me wondering if the wrong men were executed. And wondering how many other people have been wrongly convicted and killed. After reading And Every Word is True, I’m relieved that capital punishment has almost disappeared from our culture.
Another aspect of our society was revealed in glaring horror. The author skillfully exposed a fact there is such a thing as government cover-ups and doing whatever it takes to please the ‘boss’ and public, even at the cost of another’s life or police officer’s reputation.
While you read And Every Word Is True, you will need to keep track of multiple layers of facts, determine what is fiction (if you can), then draw your own conclusion. Was justice served?
And Every Word is True is an excellent read. Readers who enjoy crime stories, fiction and non-fiction, will find themselves reading long into the dark night.
The author took on an enormous task suggesting that the authorities may have missed some clues and/or misinterpreted evidence. Gary McAvoy provided details after details that any current investigator would find inspiring. Even though each chapter reported minute details of the crime scene, interrogation reports, witness statements, personality profiles and more, my attention was held. Not easy for any author given my penchant for drama.
The ending left me wondering if the wrong men were executed. And wondering how many other people have been wrongly convicted and killed. After reading And Every Word is True, I’m relieved that capital punishment has almost disappeared from our culture.
Another aspect of our society was revealed in glaring horror. The author skillfully exposed a fact there is such a thing as government cover-ups and doing whatever it takes to please the ‘boss’ and public, even at the cost of another’s life or police officer’s reputation.
While you read And Every Word Is True, you will need to keep track of multiple layers of facts, determine what is fiction (if you can), then draw your own conclusion. Was justice served?
And Every Word is True is an excellent read. Readers who enjoy crime stories, fiction and non-fiction, will find themselves reading long into the dark night.
July 15, 2019
Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this novel to review from the author. I was not paid for this review. All thoughts are my own and not influenced by the publisher in any way.
In February, my True Crime book club opted to read In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. While I ended up DNFing the book halfway because I had trouble with the writing/dismissing Harper Lee’s involvement/dragging out certain parts, I was still mildly interested in the case. While the case itself seemed simple on the surface, the idea that an entire family was murdered for barely anything never made much sense to me.
I found this book much easier to read than In Cold Blood, though I didn’t really get sucked in until the last 40%. There were some very interesting facts to the case that Agent Nye left behind and the way the Kansas police tried to obtain the documents despite the state’s laws was interesting and suspect. The way that the police kept their own files on the case was also troubling.
It seems that a lot about the case was left out in Capote’s book and Agent Nye, who put a lot of work into the case, was downplayed and Alvin Dewey’s role was highlighted instead. While we will probably never know what really happened during this case, this new evidence puts a lot of things into question.
The author also shares some of the evidence on a website for readers, which is a nice touch. Those seriously interested in the case will find a lot of reference notes and sources in the back as well. While this isn’t a book I would re-read, it did bring some new information to the case that I don’t think I will ever forget.
Recommended for those interested in the Clutter murder investigation.
3.5 stars.
April 7, 2019
I ...like many true crime fans have read "In Cold Blood" ...three times now I think...and have always thought of it as one of the first true crime books...I have read it and just like other books...you believe what you read...when I read the synopsis of this book...I was stunned...to think that all I had read and believed ...was now up for grabs...I am so used to hearing about criminal cases where information isn't turned over...where police hide things...build half truths...it seems like we hear stories every day...so I guess it should come as no surprise that this happened in the past too...at a time when beaten confessions were practiced...where you were guilty if they didn't like the way you looked...but to read it...and see the history and the notes from the lead investigator...that never made the original book...
this book is an absolute must read for any fan of "In Cold Blood" if you read that book to discover the truth...now see the additional information...that the state fought in court to keep from coming out...even 60 years after the killings...This book will open your eyes...and will change "In Cold Blood" forever...
The Clutter father wasn't all he was supposed to be...was there a third killer? if so why wouldn't the killers give that person up? ...so much more information...but more than anything...the state's absolute freaked out response to the possibility of this information getting out....it shows there is much more involved than the original book...read it...decide for your self....
I want to thank Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book and give my honest review.
this book is an absolute must read for any fan of "In Cold Blood" if you read that book to discover the truth...now see the additional information...that the state fought in court to keep from coming out...even 60 years after the killings...This book will open your eyes...and will change "In Cold Blood" forever...
The Clutter father wasn't all he was supposed to be...was there a third killer? if so why wouldn't the killers give that person up? ...so much more information...but more than anything...the state's absolute freaked out response to the possibility of this information getting out....it shows there is much more involved than the original book...read it...decide for your self....
I want to thank Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book and give my honest review.
April 7, 2019
I ...like many true crime fans have read "In Cold Blood" ...three times now I think...and have always thought of it as one of the first true crime books...I have read it and just like other books...you believe what you read...when I read the synopsis of this book...I was stunned...to think that all I had read and believed ...was now up for grabs...I am so used to hearing about criminal cases where information isn't turned over...where police hide things...build half truths...it seems like we hear stories every day...so I guess it should come as no surprise that this happened in the past too...at a time when beaten confessions were practiced...where you were guilty if they didn't like the way you looked...but to read it...and see the history and the notes from the lead investigator...that never made the original book...
this book is an absolute must read for any fan of "In Cold Blood" if you read that book to discover the truth...now see the additional information...that the state fought in court to keep from coming out...even 60 years after the killings...This book will open your eyes...and will change "In Cold Blood" forever...
The Clutter father wasn't all he was supposed to be...was there a third killer? if so why wouldn't the killers give that person up? ...so much more information...but more than anything...the state's absolute freaked out response to the possibility of this information getting out....it shows there is much more involved than the original book...read it...decide for your self....
I want to thank Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book and give my honest review.
this book is an absolute must read for any fan of "In Cold Blood" if you read that book to discover the truth...now see the additional information...that the state fought in court to keep from coming out...even 60 years after the killings...This book will open your eyes...and will change "In Cold Blood" forever...
The Clutter father wasn't all he was supposed to be...was there a third killer? if so why wouldn't the killers give that person up? ...so much more information...but more than anything...the state's absolute freaked out response to the possibility of this information getting out....it shows there is much more involved than the original book...read it...decide for your self....
I want to thank Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book and give my honest review.
April 8, 2019
The Clutter family murders occurred the year before I was born, so I was in junior high school before my parents allowed me to watch the movie which led me to read the book based on the crime—In Cold Blood. This, along with the Tate-La Bianca murders, helped foster a lifelong interest in true-crime novels.
And Every Word is True doesn’t claim to offer new evidence or produce a smoking gun. It explores the personal files of a chief investigator and other principles involved with the case, along with personal documents from the two men convicted and executed for the heinous crime.
Like with any crime—high profile or not—alternate theories are posited, some which existed before this book.
Highly detailed and well-written, this read slows when it centers on the Nye’s family reason for auctioning the documents (medical expenses) and the court battle against the KBI (coverup?), but it offers enough details to make one wonder why the KBI so strongly resisted the documents being made public.
Were Hickock and Smith fulfilling a murder contract on Herb Clutter? Did the KBI help bury vital evidence and information?
History shows us the length bureaucrats will go to keep from looking foolish (or guilty), and I believe the KBI helped build a blaze when silence would have better served them, but readers will need to read the thought-provoking And Every Word Is True and decide for themselves.
And Every Word is True doesn’t claim to offer new evidence or produce a smoking gun. It explores the personal files of a chief investigator and other principles involved with the case, along with personal documents from the two men convicted and executed for the heinous crime.
Like with any crime—high profile or not—alternate theories are posited, some which existed before this book.
Highly detailed and well-written, this read slows when it centers on the Nye’s family reason for auctioning the documents (medical expenses) and the court battle against the KBI (coverup?), but it offers enough details to make one wonder why the KBI so strongly resisted the documents being made public.
Were Hickock and Smith fulfilling a murder contract on Herb Clutter? Did the KBI help bury vital evidence and information?
History shows us the length bureaucrats will go to keep from looking foolish (or guilty), and I believe the KBI helped build a blaze when silence would have better served them, but readers will need to read the thought-provoking And Every Word Is True and decide for themselves.
April 10, 2019
I remember all the interest in Capote's book. It was my teenage introduction to true crime literature. When I saw the opportunity to review this book, I jumped at it. And what a surprise. I did not realize that the case left so many questions unanswered. It seems Capote was given material for his book so a certain conclusion would be made. McAvoy found out that records were lost or destroyed, a manuscript is missing, and potential motives went uninvestigated. Although the identity of the killers is certain, recently uncovered information brings to light new possibilities for their motive in the murders. The opposition to the publication of this book by Kansas officials makes it seem they have something to hide. It certainly made me wonder if there was much more to the murders than we were led to believe.
This is not a riveting book. The information is presented in a factual way and lacks any captivating aspect. Nonetheless, the information it presents is very interesting to anyone who has read In Cold Blood, even if it was decades ago.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
This is not a riveting book. The information is presented in a factual way and lacks any captivating aspect. Nonetheless, the information it presents is very interesting to anyone who has read In Cold Blood, even if it was decades ago.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
March 23, 2019
Awesome read. Brings in Cold Blood back to life - with even greater dimension.
This read is the true story of the author's battles with the the state of Kansas who attempt to suppress the evidence he acquires from the son of the lead investigator to the Clutter murders back in 1959-60. Detailed analysis of all of the players and how the new evidence blows wide open the assumptions we've all held for almost 60 years that the murder was motivated by the killers search for $$ in some unknown safe. I now see how this is very unlikely. It reads like a crime drama with some amazing nods to the prose we'd expect from Truman himself. If you're a fan of Capote's work, of In Cold Blood in particular, or of the true crime genre in general, no doubt you will appreciate And Every Word Is True. Although the actual crime is now 2 generations in the past, I know it's still alive in our cultural mindset. It will be interesting to see how McAvoy's fresh revelations shake things up. Loads of photos too - which I loved.
This read is the true story of the author's battles with the the state of Kansas who attempt to suppress the evidence he acquires from the son of the lead investigator to the Clutter murders back in 1959-60. Detailed analysis of all of the players and how the new evidence blows wide open the assumptions we've all held for almost 60 years that the murder was motivated by the killers search for $$ in some unknown safe. I now see how this is very unlikely. It reads like a crime drama with some amazing nods to the prose we'd expect from Truman himself. If you're a fan of Capote's work, of In Cold Blood in particular, or of the true crime genre in general, no doubt you will appreciate And Every Word Is True. Although the actual crime is now 2 generations in the past, I know it's still alive in our cultural mindset. It will be interesting to see how McAvoy's fresh revelations shake things up. Loads of photos too - which I loved.
July 20, 2019
I first read "In Cold Blood" as a middle school student. It was too intense for anyone younger, or so they said. The book by Truman Capote has been celebrated, promoted, made into a movie and verified as the truth for many years. But what if it were not the WHOLE truth? The book jacket tells the reader that Gary McAvoy came into possession of some notes taken during the murder investigation that lead him to believe Truman Capote sensationalized some details to sell more books and left some information completely out for the same reason. He makes a good case for his position since Kansas sued him to keep the information from being released. This book is definitely worth reading whether you are familiar with "In Cold Blood" or not.
July 11, 2020
And Every Word Is True by Gary McAvoy is a thrilling chase of details from and about a 60-year-old crime case. The murder of a wheat farmer and his family. Two murderers were arrested. However, when the writer comes across access to the case details, the state of Kansas fights them all the way. It was suspenseful and intriguing to know why the state went after the documents from an old investigation. It only raised the questions from the writer even more so. That captured my attention that maybe something else had happened but what? Gary McAvoy answers that and more in this book. Overall, it was an interesting true crime read.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
April 15, 2019
New Evidence in the Clutter Murders
Today, nearly 60 years after the tragic murders of Herb Clutter, his wife and two youngest children, eternally captured in Truman Capote's literary novel, In Cold Blood, new evidence has come to light abd begs the question, "What if Capote and the killers lied?"
Carefully research and compellingly written, this book may take Truman Capote's masterpiece and regulate it into obscurity as millions of readers learn that they know little of what really happened.
Today, nearly 60 years after the tragic murders of Herb Clutter, his wife and two youngest children, eternally captured in Truman Capote's literary novel, In Cold Blood, new evidence has come to light abd begs the question, "What if Capote and the killers lied?"
Carefully research and compellingly written, this book may take Truman Capote's masterpiece and regulate it into obscurity as millions of readers learn that they know little of what really happened.
April 18, 2019
An interesting, factual deconstruction of Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood’ plus in-depth analysis of the circumstances surrounds the Clutter family murders and subsequent execution of Richard Hickock and Perry Smith. It's a shame that Harold Nye is no longer around to see it.
March 29, 2019
Wow! If you think you know whodunnit, you don't know it all.
You'll have to read McAvoy's book to get the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's perspective and notes on all the clues of this sensational crime. Sensational because of all the traction Truman Capote got by turning a brutal multiple homicide into a "fictionalized" bestseller. "In Cold Blood" has become an industry since it was first published, undoubtedly not only for the -- er, let's say "enhanced" -- details Capote wove into his book, but for Capote's own notoriety.
Lovers of crime procedurals will appreciate the yeoman's work McAvoy has put into scrupulously researching and documenting the facts as collected by one of the actual investigators. The parallel story about the battle waged by the State of Kansas and KBI to prevent McAvoy from revealing these documents is a thriller in itself.
A compelling, well written story that has earned its place in the "In Cold Blood" oeuvre.
You'll have to read McAvoy's book to get the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's perspective and notes on all the clues of this sensational crime. Sensational because of all the traction Truman Capote got by turning a brutal multiple homicide into a "fictionalized" bestseller. "In Cold Blood" has become an industry since it was first published, undoubtedly not only for the -- er, let's say "enhanced" -- details Capote wove into his book, but for Capote's own notoriety.
Lovers of crime procedurals will appreciate the yeoman's work McAvoy has put into scrupulously researching and documenting the facts as collected by one of the actual investigators. The parallel story about the battle waged by the State of Kansas and KBI to prevent McAvoy from revealing these documents is a thriller in itself.
A compelling, well written story that has earned its place in the "In Cold Blood" oeuvre.
May 7, 2019
I suppose I should start by saying that I have not read In Cold Blood, to be honest, I hadn’t heard of it before so I was intrigued to find out about the crime the book was based on just as I was intrigued to find out what new information this book held about the outcome of Capote’s book.
I am also happy to note that you don’t have to have read In Cold Blood or have any prior knowledge of the Clutter murders to follow this book or find it exceptionally interesting, as everything is explained so thoroughly. There is a nice easy flow to this book, and I liked how the sections were put together, it made it easier to digest the abundance of information that makes up the fuller picture of the Cutter case and the backstory to the trials of publishing the book.
The writing is very engaging, I’ll be honest I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately and wasn’t sure how well I was going to get through this book, but I was hooked pretty quickly. I was fascinated at reading about the discrepancies in the case that have been portrayed as verifiable truth and how the state of Kansas seems so eager to stop anyone looking too closely at anything other than a version of events that are now proven as more fiction than fact.
Throughout the book, there are pictures of the historical documents that cast aspersions on Capote’s account which he always maintained was a completely factual one, even though he seems to have only highlighted those in the story that suited his purpose or those who curried favour with him. I admired that the author paints a new picture with this evidence but doesn’t ever portray it as the only truth, instead draws logical conclusions but admits that there could be other interpretations. There are a lot of strange occurrences though that it would be difficult for any reader not to question what has been laid out in the past as the motive for the crime.
It was definitely quite chilling getting to read the letters that Hickock wrote, it added a lot more questions to the story and showed that there were other lines of enquiry that should have been followed. Thankfully anything too graphic does have a pre-warning from the author and morbid though it is it was strangely captivating to get to read his perspective, especially because there is also the question of how much he wrote being truth or grandstanding. It was also very insightful to get accounts from family members of those who were involved in the case, to see how much impact it had in the years following.
There are a couple of crime scene photos included however they are not depicting anything too graphic and are included to bolster points made rather than for entertainment, which I can only praise the author for. I know some people wouldn’t bat an eyelid at such things or would perhaps be actively seeking them out through curiosity but I would have been put off if they had been included.
I feel a bit weird saying that I really enjoyed a book about an actual murder but I did, it is a compelling book whilst also being sensitive to its subject. I have to admit I am now thinking about reading In Cold Blood armed with this new information to see how biased an account it is.
I am also happy to note that you don’t have to have read In Cold Blood or have any prior knowledge of the Clutter murders to follow this book or find it exceptionally interesting, as everything is explained so thoroughly. There is a nice easy flow to this book, and I liked how the sections were put together, it made it easier to digest the abundance of information that makes up the fuller picture of the Cutter case and the backstory to the trials of publishing the book.
The writing is very engaging, I’ll be honest I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately and wasn’t sure how well I was going to get through this book, but I was hooked pretty quickly. I was fascinated at reading about the discrepancies in the case that have been portrayed as verifiable truth and how the state of Kansas seems so eager to stop anyone looking too closely at anything other than a version of events that are now proven as more fiction than fact.
Throughout the book, there are pictures of the historical documents that cast aspersions on Capote’s account which he always maintained was a completely factual one, even though he seems to have only highlighted those in the story that suited his purpose or those who curried favour with him. I admired that the author paints a new picture with this evidence but doesn’t ever portray it as the only truth, instead draws logical conclusions but admits that there could be other interpretations. There are a lot of strange occurrences though that it would be difficult for any reader not to question what has been laid out in the past as the motive for the crime.
It was definitely quite chilling getting to read the letters that Hickock wrote, it added a lot more questions to the story and showed that there were other lines of enquiry that should have been followed. Thankfully anything too graphic does have a pre-warning from the author and morbid though it is it was strangely captivating to get to read his perspective, especially because there is also the question of how much he wrote being truth or grandstanding. It was also very insightful to get accounts from family members of those who were involved in the case, to see how much impact it had in the years following.
There are a couple of crime scene photos included however they are not depicting anything too graphic and are included to bolster points made rather than for entertainment, which I can only praise the author for. I know some people wouldn’t bat an eyelid at such things or would perhaps be actively seeking them out through curiosity but I would have been put off if they had been included.
I feel a bit weird saying that I really enjoyed a book about an actual murder but I did, it is a compelling book whilst also being sensitive to its subject. I have to admit I am now thinking about reading In Cold Blood armed with this new information to see how biased an account it is.
May 4, 2019
I read In Cold Blood far too young and am still haunted by Nancy Clutter, helping a friend bake an apple pie her last day of life and writing in her journal nightly, every year in a different ink color. We all know who killed the Clutter family ... but this book asks WHY were they killed?
The book repeats things over and over quite a few times, and the overall organization is somewhat strange, but here is what really struck me:
After the news spread about the murder, most of the local law men (including Alvin Dewey who was a friend of Herb Clutter) felt the answer lay close to home. Herb Clutter was not the provincial wheat farmer Capote portrays - he was the founder of the Kansas Wheat Association, had served on national agricultural boards, even had ties to the White House. And Clutter had made enemies along the way.
Richard Hickok wrote of being paid $5,000 to murder Clutter, and that after the murder they only had an hour before having to meet "Roberts." And indeed, an hour after the murders, two men who fit the descriptions of Perry Smith and Hickok were seen meeting an unknown man in a diner 30 miles or so away from Garden City.
Supposedly Frank Miles in prison told Hickok about the Clutter home and the safe full of money. Miles drew a map for Hickok detailing where each family member slept .... except the house the Clutters were currently living in wasn't BUILT when Miles worked on the Clutter farm.
The author was provided investigative notebooks from Harold Nye's son Ronald. Nye was the major investigator on the Clutter case and always felt something was hinky about the case. He always kept notebooks on hand to write his observations and thoughts. When working on this book, the state of Kansas SUED them to prevent publication. They claimed the notebooks belonged to the State, they claimed that further investigation would disrupt the privacy of the families (this despite the fact that the knife that cut Herb Clutter's THROAT is displayed in some state office lobby), they made all sorts of outrageous claims which the judge threw out and made them pay the cost of the litigation - almost $4,000,000.
Why did Kansas fight tooth and nail to prevent this information from seeing the light of day? Why does the state have so little documentation from the case and trial?
Looking at the case from the outside, there were enough clues and odd circumstances that make the motive questionable ("It was robbery, simple robbery, nothing to see here .... move along") and yet there was little in the way of trying to follow-up on any of this. The State was willing to let Capote have access to everything (and he had full access to FBI files as well) and once the book was done, according to the State, In Cold Blood was the complete and full summary of the case.
I used to lie awake at bed in night thinking of the poor Clutter family. After reading this book, I actually laid awake wondering what really brought that awful night into motion. A fascinating book that everyone needs to read and ponder. 5 stars for the material and 3.5 stars for the telling which is at times is a bit convoluted.
The book repeats things over and over quite a few times, and the overall organization is somewhat strange, but here is what really struck me:
After the news spread about the murder, most of the local law men (including Alvin Dewey who was a friend of Herb Clutter) felt the answer lay close to home. Herb Clutter was not the provincial wheat farmer Capote portrays - he was the founder of the Kansas Wheat Association, had served on national agricultural boards, even had ties to the White House. And Clutter had made enemies along the way.
Richard Hickok wrote of being paid $5,000 to murder Clutter, and that after the murder they only had an hour before having to meet "Roberts." And indeed, an hour after the murders, two men who fit the descriptions of Perry Smith and Hickok were seen meeting an unknown man in a diner 30 miles or so away from Garden City.
Supposedly Frank Miles in prison told Hickok about the Clutter home and the safe full of money. Miles drew a map for Hickok detailing where each family member slept .... except the house the Clutters were currently living in wasn't BUILT when Miles worked on the Clutter farm.
The author was provided investigative notebooks from Harold Nye's son Ronald. Nye was the major investigator on the Clutter case and always felt something was hinky about the case. He always kept notebooks on hand to write his observations and thoughts. When working on this book, the state of Kansas SUED them to prevent publication. They claimed the notebooks belonged to the State, they claimed that further investigation would disrupt the privacy of the families (this despite the fact that the knife that cut Herb Clutter's THROAT is displayed in some state office lobby), they made all sorts of outrageous claims which the judge threw out and made them pay the cost of the litigation - almost $4,000,000.
Why did Kansas fight tooth and nail to prevent this information from seeing the light of day? Why does the state have so little documentation from the case and trial?
Looking at the case from the outside, there were enough clues and odd circumstances that make the motive questionable ("It was robbery, simple robbery, nothing to see here .... move along") and yet there was little in the way of trying to follow-up on any of this. The State was willing to let Capote have access to everything (and he had full access to FBI files as well) and once the book was done, according to the State, In Cold Blood was the complete and full summary of the case.
I used to lie awake at bed in night thinking of the poor Clutter family. After reading this book, I actually laid awake wondering what really brought that awful night into motion. A fascinating book that everyone needs to read and ponder. 5 stars for the material and 3.5 stars for the telling which is at times is a bit convoluted.
December 31, 2022
I read and reviewed In Cold Blood by Truman Capote some time ago (https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...). I found it an engaging read and appreciated many of the aspects Capote brought to the book. However, the crime always felt a little strange to me. It held a note of suspended disbelief, and while several would argue that the feeling had more to do with the crime itself than the execution of the crime, I'd like to reiterate a point Gary McAvoy made: why did the inmate lie about the wall safe in Mr. Clutter's study/office? It's a point that gave rise to curiosity in me, but which I didn't focus on with my previous review.
Now, I have to say that the questions Gary McAvoy brings up in his book are legitimate and thoughtful. The questions don't seem to make any sense. How did a cellmate of Dick's happen to tell him about a safe and money hidden inside that he'd seen if it didn't exist? Why would he tell him about it if it didn't exist? There are several other inconsistencies brought to light, and it certainly leads one to speculation and consideration of the argument McAvoy is making.
While it brings to light several questions and suspicions, the book never gets past speculation. There aren't any concrete facts except the weird and proprietary behavior of the KBI as well as their secrecy, the fact that Wells provided false info to Dick when they were in prison together but couldn't have given him a map of the house inside because he'd moved on before the building was completed, Dick never tried to provide Wells as a scapegoat, and if there'd been a third man involved, why didn't Dick or Perry bring that to light?
So, although great points were made, excellent questions were raised, and something does seem off about the whole story, I'm disappointed that more information wasn't shared and answers to these "revelations" weren't completely resolved. Although, it seems that Dick and Perry were the murders and held accountable, I'm willing to keep an open mind to the fact that there seems to be more to the story than we know.
Now, I have to say that the questions Gary McAvoy brings up in his book are legitimate and thoughtful. The questions don't seem to make any sense. How did a cellmate of Dick's happen to tell him about a safe and money hidden inside that he'd seen if it didn't exist? Why would he tell him about it if it didn't exist? There are several other inconsistencies brought to light, and it certainly leads one to speculation and consideration of the argument McAvoy is making.
While it brings to light several questions and suspicions, the book never gets past speculation. There aren't any concrete facts except the weird and proprietary behavior of the KBI as well as their secrecy, the fact that Wells provided false info to Dick when they were in prison together but couldn't have given him a map of the house inside because he'd moved on before the building was completed, Dick never tried to provide Wells as a scapegoat, and if there'd been a third man involved, why didn't Dick or Perry bring that to light?
So, although great points were made, excellent questions were raised, and something does seem off about the whole story, I'm disappointed that more information wasn't shared and answers to these "revelations" weren't completely resolved. Although, it seems that Dick and Perry were the murders and held accountable, I'm willing to keep an open mind to the fact that there seems to be more to the story than we know.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews