GCL Presents Murder of the Month

Robert Blake from the trailer for In Cold Blood. Public domain image from Wikimedia.

The Garland County Library is presenting a book and film discussion of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 14^th.

In Cold Blood, published in 1966, relates the true story of the brutal murders of Herbert Clutter, a wealthy farmer from Holcomb, Kansas, and his wife and two of their children in 1959. It studies the complex relationship between two ex-convicts, Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, who commit the murders. Capote's book also explores the lives of the victims and the effects of the crime on the small town where they lived. In Cold Blood is regarded by critics as a pioneering text of true crime literature.

“In Cold Blood is a fascinating book on several levels,” Greg Gibson, a member of the English Department at Henderson State University, said. Gibson, whose primary interest is in American Literature of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, will lead the library’s discussion of the book.

“Aside from the story it tells so skillfully of the murders and their consequences, the story of the writing and researching of the book is intriguing as well. I can’t think of another book that has had not only one, but two movies made about the writing of it,” Gibson said, referring to Capote(2005) and Infamous (2006).

This presentation is the first of a series that the library is calling “Murder of the Month Club.” According to Karen Covey, who is helping to coordinate the series, the name is “catchy, but a little bit of a misnomer, because we won’t necessarily meet every month. However, when we do meet, it will be a chance to explore and discuss the literature of crime.”

“In addition to true crimes like In Cold Blood and Helter Skelter, we’ll also look at some fictional works,” Covey continued. “ In January, for example, we’ll talk about Dashiell Hammett, who wrote two of the most popular detective stories of the 20^th century, The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man. The focus is on great crime writing, whether it’s about Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles or the Mary Lee Orsini case that rocked Arkansas thirty years ago.”

Covey thinks that local residents are eager for a chance to share their views on great books. “Our To Kill a Mockingbird event last month was very successful and many people commented that they wish we had more book discussions. This one may not be quite as elaborate in terms of set design,” Covey said, referring to the library’s 50^th anniversary celebration of Harper Lee’s book, “but I’m sure people will enjoy it because it’s such an enthralling story.”

“It’s really the classic that started the true crime genre,” Covey said. “I think the title says it all. The killings were so senseless and cruel. Part of what makes it so frightening is the way Capote describes the small Kansas town where the murders took place. It could really be any small town. It could happen to any family. It’s a wonderful book, though, and if you read it alone at night, I guarantee you’ll get up every few pages to make sure your doors are locked.”

The film In Cold Blood is rated R, so no one under 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian. Registration is required. Visit the library at 1427 Malvern Ave. or call 623-4161 or 922-4483 for more information.

There are many great online resources for people interested in learning more about the Clutter killings. The Garden City, Kansas Police Department has a page detailing the history of the case with some very interesting photos. Click here to see them.

For thought provoking discussion questions on Capote's book, have a look at the Kansas Reads page, here.