The Clutter family resides in western Kansas ,in Holcomb, on their farm called River Valley Farm. Herbert Clutter is the owner of the farm and lives there with his wife Bonnie and their two youngest children, Nancy(16 years old) and Kenyon(15 years old).
The morning of the murders begins with Herbert oversleeping as he had stayed up late to ensure Nancy arrived home safely from her date with her boyfriend, Bobby Rupp. After a light breakfast, Herbert goes outside to tend to his fruit orchard, which he prizes.
Meanwhile, Perry Smith is having breakfast at a cafe in Olathe, Kansas. He is waiting for Dick Hickock to join him, while also engrossed in looking at a map of Mexico and daydreaming about discovering lost treasure.
Back at the Clutters' residence, Nancy receives a phone call from a neighbor who asks her to assist her daughter Jolene in baking a pie. Nancy agrees to help despite having a busy schedule that includes tutoring another child, running errands, and sewing dresses for her older sister Beverly's upcoming wedding. During a phone call with her best friend Susan Kidwell, Nancy expresses her concerns about her relationship with Bobby, as her father disapproves of the couple due to their different religious affiliations(Bobby is Catholic, while the Clutters are Methodist).
In the meantime, Dick and Perry drive to a body shop where Dick prepares their car for the planned trip to Holcomb. Their intention is to steal $10,000 from Herbert Clutter's safe. To establish an alibi, Dick informs his parents that he will be visiting Perry's sister in Fort Scott.
After assisting Jolene with the pie, Nancy leaves for an appointment. While waiting for her mother to pick her up, Jolene engages in awkward conversation with Bonnie Clutter, who often appears anxious and distracted due to recurring bouts of depression.
Having finished their work on the car, Perry and Dick clean themselves
up in the garage bathroom. Both men are described as "fastidious" about their appearance. They both bear physical disfigurements resulting from previous road accidents, with Dick having a slightly lopsided face and Perry having poorly healed leg fractures.
Meanwhile, Herbert is attending a 4-H meeting in Garden City, where he suggests giving an award to Mrs. Hideo Ashida, the wife of a localtenant farmer. After the meeting, Mrs. Ashida thanks him and reveals that her husband might be considering moving the family to Nebraska.
In the afternoon, Dick and Perry stop in Emporia to purchase supplies for their planned crime, including rubber gloves and rope. Perry suggests using black stockings as face masks but they struggle to find any.
Back in Holcomb, Kenyon is working on a hope chest for Beverly's wedding and conversing with Paul Helm, the farm's groundskeeper. Nancy returns from a horse ride, and the siblings engage in good-natured bickering as Helm leaves for the evening.
Meanwhile, Dick tries to buy black stockings from nuns at a Catholic hospital, while Perry contemplates his true motive for returning to Kansas: reuniting with his friend and fellow ex-convict named Willie-Jay. Perry had only met Dick at the cafe because he couldn't find Willie-Jay. Dick returns to the car without stockings, hinting that he didn't make an effort to find any.
In his home office, Herbert meets with a life insurance agent and finalizes plans for a $40,000 insurance policy. As he signs the first check, Herbert reflects on his life's accomplishments and his desire to pass on the family business to his children.
While Dick drives, Perry plays the guitar, sings, and attempts to discuss their travel plans to Mexico and Japan, but Dick is unresponsive.
Bobby Rupp visits the Clutters later in the evening to watch television and leaves sometime after 10:30 p.m. He later wonders if someone was hiding in the trees as he departed, as he recounts the evening to the police.
In Garden City, Dick and Perry stop for gas. Dick engages in conversation with the attendant and privately worries that Perry, who is in the bathroom attempting to alleviate the pain in his legs, might be having second thoughts. However, when Dick knocks on the bathroom door, Perry reemerges, and they proceed to Holcomb. They arrive just as
Nancy, who typically stays up late, is getting ready for bed.
The following morning, around 9 a.m., a farmer named Clarence Ewalt tries to drop off his daughter, Nancy Ewalt, at River Valley Farm. When there is no response from anyone in the house, the Ewalts visit Susan Kidwell, a neighbor. After an unsuccessful attempt to contact the Clutters by phone, Susan and Nancy Ewalt return to the farm. This time, they enter the house and immediately run out screaming. Nancy Clutter's bedroom walls are coveredin blood. Clarence attempts to call an ambulance but discovers that the Clutters' phone lines have been cut.
Clarence contacts Sheriff Earl Robinson from Susan's apartment. Ewalt, along with another resident of the building, a teacher named Larry Hendricks, return to River Valley Farm with Robinson. They search the house and discover the four Clutters bound and shot. Nancy and Bonnie are found in their respective bedrooms, Kenyon in the basement, and Herbert, whose throat has also been cut, in the furnace room. As more police and ambulances arrive, Hendricks overhears Alfred Stoecklein, who lives and works on the Clutters' land, telling the undersheriff that he and his wife were awake most of the night but heard nothing.
Meanwhile, news of the crime spreads throughout Holcomb, causing distress among the community members who fear that someone from within the town committed the murders. One resident expresses their concern by saying, "All we've got out here are our friends. There isn't anything else." Throughout the day, relatives of the Clutters, including their surviving daughters Beverly and Eveanna, arrive in Garden City.
Perry and Dick return to Olathe. Perry falls asleep in a hotel room, while Dick rejoins his family for Sunday dinner and later falls asleep with them while watching TV.
Sheriff Robinson handing over the murder case to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation(KBI). Agent Alvin Adams Dewey, from the KBI's Garden City office, believes that the crime was personal. However, the crime scene indicates the involvement of two killers, and Dewey struggles to comprehend how two individuals could hold a deep grudge against the Clutter family. Although Bobby Rupp is initially suspected, Dewey doubts his involvement.
Dewey's fellow KBI agents, Church, Duntz, and Nye, question the residents of Holcomb but only uncover a few minor grievances against the Clutters. Robbery seems unlikely as a motive since very little is missing from the house, and it was widely known that Herbert Clutter did not keep large sums of cash at home. The seemingly senseless nature of the crime leaves the community of Holcomb on edge.
A few days after the murders, Perry and Dick stop at a diner in Kansas City, where Perry reads an article about the murders. Perry reminds Dick about a loose end concerning Floyd Wells, the person who initially told Dick about the Clutter family. Irritated, Dick questions why Perry agreed to ascheme that he believed would end badly. Perry shares a recurring dream he has, where he plucks diamonds from a tree, knowing that doing so will provoke a snake guarding the tree to attack him. Perry, not wanting to be ridiculed, doesn't reveal to Dick that the dream ends with his rescue by an angelic yellow parrot.
Two days after the Clutters' burial, Perry reads about the funeral in a Kansas City hotel. Earlier that day, he and Dick pass bad checks and pawn items they purchase as part of their plan. However, Dick grows increasingly depressed as the day progresses, worried about the fate of his parents. Perry assures him that they will make enough money in Mexico to repay the checks.
Dewey and his family are on edge, both due to the stress caused by the case and the constant phone calls they receive about the Clutter murders. The initial suspects are ruled out, and new details, such as a missing radio, suggest robbery as a possible motive. However, Dewey remains skeptical, particularly struck by the fact that the killers took steps to make the victims comfortable, such as placing a pillow under Kenyon's head.
A week after the murders, Perry and Dick leave Kansas City and drive to Mexico. One week after that, Beverly Clutter marries her fianc?.
Rumors about the murders circulate in Hartman's Caf? in Holcomb. In early December, two families, including the Ashidas, announce their plans to leave town.
In Acapulco, Mexico, Perry and Dick meet a German man named Otto. While fishing on Otto's boat, Perry feels content. However, they are running out of money and plan to leave the following day. Perry expects that Dick will quickly spend any money they earn on alcohol and women, based on their experience in Kansas City.
As expected, a few days after selling their car in Mexico City, the money is almost gone, and Dick wants to return to the United States. While going through his belongings, Perry discovers a letter his father, Tex John Smith, wrote to the parole board on his behalf during a previous robbery conviction. The letter triggers various emotions in Perry, including self-pity, love, and hate. Perry reflects on his turbulent family history, marked by happy memories in his early years, followed by his mother's alcoholism, and his experiences in institutions where he suffered abuse.
As Perry continues to struggle with packing, he finds a scolding letterfrom his sister Barbara, blaming his behavior on their upbringing. Although Perry dislikes his sister, he keeps the letter because his friend Willie-Jay provided him with a sensitive analysis of it. While Perry argues with Dick to finish having sex with a prostitute so they can leave the hotel and avoid additional charges, Christmas approaches.
Dewey becomes increasingly consumed by the Clutter case as Christmas approaches. The townsfolk at Hartman's Caf? constantly pester him about leads. Dewey also recalls a haunting dream his wife had about Bonnie Clutter.
Meanwhile, Dick and Perry sit by a road in the Mojave Desert, hoping to trick a driver into picking them up so they can rob and kill them.
Floyd Wells hearing a radio report about the Clutter murders on November 17, 1959. Wells recalls sharing a cell with Dick, during which he mentioned his past employment with Mr. Clutter. Dick then confided in Wells about his plans to kill the Clutters and break into the supposed safe in Clutter's home office. Wells reports this information to a warden, who passes it on to Dewey.
Nye, Dewey's assistant, visits Dick's parents under the pretense of investigating Dick's check fraud. Walter Hickock, Dick's father, explains that Dick's life spiraled out of control after getting married at a young age and accumulating significant debt. Dick's life further deteriorated after he suffered a concussion in a car crash. Nye confirms the details of Dick and Perry's alibi, which involves a supposed trip to Fort Scott, and notices a shotgun belonging to Dick.
Meanwhile, Perry and Dick hitchhike to Nebraska, where they once again attempt to rob and murder a driver.
Nye travels to a rundown apartment building in Las Vegas and verifies that Perry stayed there from late October to mid-November. After failing to locate Perry's father in Reno, Nye goes to San Francisco to speak with Perry's sister, Barbara, who reveals that she hasn't had contact with Perry in years. Barbara also confirms that she never lived in Fort Scott.
In Garden City, rumors about the murders circulate but bear little resemblance to the official investigation. The post office and cafe in Holcomb ban any discussion of the subject.
Dick and Perry steal a car from a barn in Iowa and reluctantly drive to Kansas City, much to Perry's dismay. Perry anxiously waits at a laundromat while Dick passes bad checks around town. WhenDick returns, they have lunch and discuss their plans to travel to Florida. They are spotted by the police but manage to avoid arrest. However, Dewey now knows their license plate number.
Dick and Perry spend Christmas on a beach in Miami. Perry is disgusted when Dick unsuccessfully tries to seduce a 12-year-old girl. While listening to Christmas carols, Perry contemplates suicide.
While driving through Texas a few days later, Perry convinces Dick to pick up two hitchhikers, a young boy and his grandfather. With the boy's help, they collect discarded bottles from the side of the road to exchange for cash. They use the money to treat themselves to a large meal before parting ways.
On December 30, Dewey receives a call informing him that Perry and Dick have been arrested in Las Vegas.
In Las Vegas, Perry retrieves some belongings that were shipped from Mexico, including the boots he wore on the night of the murders. As they arrive at the rundown apartment building where Perry once stayed, the authorities arrest them.
Dick confesses to parole violation and check fraud. He speaks openly to investigators Nye and Church about his childhood, background, and recent actions. However, he cannot hide his reaction when Nye mentions the Clutter case, and he remains silent when confronted with the knowledge that his Fort Scott alibi is a lie.
In a separate room with Dewey and Duntz, Perry struggles to remember the details of the alibi he worked out with Dick. Dewey
accuses Perry of killing the Clutters and informs him that they have a living witness who can testify to his guilt. Perry remains silent.
The next day, Perry admits that his story about his sister was a lie but claims that the rest of the alibi is true. Meanwhile, Nye presents Dick with a photo of footprints from the crime scene that match his boots. Dick confesses that he was present during the robbery but insists that Perry alone killed the Clutters. News of his confession spreads in Holcomb, but many residents still believe that someone local must be involved.
Feeling angry and betrayed, Perry explains that Dick's initial proposal was vague, and he only learned about the plan to rob the Clutters after arriving in Kansas. Perry had hoped to avoid killing anyone.
According to Perry, Dick believed that Herbert kept $10,000 in a safe in his office. When they couldn't find the safe inside the Clutter home, Dickwoke Herbert up and demanded to know its location. Herbert's denials and offers to write a check angered Dick, who then woke Bonnie. After Bonnie confirmed that there was no safe, Perry urged Dick to leave, but Dick insisted on searching the entire house.
After waking the children, Perry and Dick locked the entire family in a room. They proceeded to search the bedrooms for money and valuables. At that point, Perry considered leaving but felt unable to do so. Instead, he helped Dick tie up the Clutters one by one. Believing that Dick intended to rape Nancy, Perry insisted on binding her himself.
Once the family was restrained, Perry asked for a knife, hoping that Dick would back down. Perry intended to challenge Dick, hoping he would admit his cowardice and hypocrisy. However, overwhelmed by shame and reminded of stealing a silver dollar from Nancy's purse earlier, Perry slit Mr. Clutter's throat and shot him. Dick and Perry proceeded to kill the rest of the family, with Perry claiming that Dick shot the two women. In total, they stole about $40 to $50 from the robbery.
On January 6, 1960, Dick and Perry arrive at the Garden City courthouse, where a crowd falls silent as the authorities lead them inside.
Part 4 of the book, titled "The Corner," begins with Dick being housed
in a cell intended for female prisoners within the Sheriff's Residence, where Perry develops a friendship with Josephine Meier, the wife of Undersheriff Wendell Meier.
Perry receives a letter from Don Sullivan, a fellow soldier he served with in Korea, expressing concern for Perry's soul. Perry seizes the opportunity to correspond with someone.
In March, a shiv is found and confiscated in Dick's cell, while Perry also plans to escape but is unable to contact the men who frequent the square outside his cell. When these men stop appearing, Perry begins fantasizing about suicide.
The court-appointed attorneys convince Dr. W. Mitchell Jones, a psychiatrist, to interview Perry and Dick. The defense attorneys also try unsuccessfully to postpone the trial to avoid coinciding with the Clutter estate sale, which would draw widespread attention.
Jury selection begins on March 22, 1960, and Perry and Dick write autobiographies for Dr. Jones. The following day, witness testimony begins, starting with those who found the bodies and the investigator who photographed the crime scene. Despite objections from the defense, Judge Tate allows the jury to see photos of thevictims' bodies. Floyd Wells also testifies.
In the following days, FBI laboratory technicians provide testimony about the physical evidence in the case. Dewey also testifies, revealing two damaging pieces of information about Dick: his intention to rape Nancy and Perry's attempt to alter his confession to take responsibility for all four murders out of sympathy for Dick's parents.
The defense presents testimony from Dick's father and Dr. Jones, who states that in his professional opinion, Dick can distinguish right from wrong. However, privately, Dr. Jones believes that Dick has a severe character disorder and suggests tests to determine if he sustained brain damage from the car accident.
After character witnesses testify on Perry's behalf, including Sullivan, Dr. Jones takes the stand again. Regarding Perry's awareness of the wrongfulness of his actions during the murders, Dr. Jones expresses no opinion. Privately, he believes Perry shows signs of paranoid schizophrenia and that the murders were committed in a dissociative state triggered by a traumatic memory or association.
During the defense team's closing statements, they emphasize the
immorality of capital punishment. The prosecution, however, warns the jury that Dick and Perry could kill again if released on parole. After 40 minutes of deliberation, the jury convicts both men and sentences them to hang.
Perry spends the night after the trial in tears, while Mrs. Meier tries to console him but eventually has to leave for a prior engagement, which later troubles her.
In the Kansas State Penitentiary, Perry and Dick await their execution, scheduled in six weeks. At that time, three other inmates are on Death Row, including Lowell Lee Andrews, who killed his parents and sister. Despite a diagnosis of schizophrenia, Andrews is convicted due to the limitations of the insanity defense.
The originally scheduled execution date passes while Perry and Dick's lawyers seek a new trial. Dick befriends Andrews, but Perry, feeling threatened and humiliated by Andrews' education, goes on a hunger strike. He becomes extremely ill and only eats when he learns that his father wants to visit him.
Two years go by, and two new inmates arrive on Death Row, George Ronald York and James Douglas Latham, who went on a killing spree, believing that the world and everyone in it would be better off dead.
Meanwhile, Dick studies law and corresponds with legal organizations, persuading the Kansas State Bar Association to consider his complaints about his trial. However, in a subsequent hearing, the judge rules that Perryand Dick received a fair trial.
Andrews is executed on November 30, 1962, and the other Death Row inmates can hear his death. Before his execution, Andrews gives Dick a piece of paper with a stanza from Thomas Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard."
Despite the efforts of two new attorneys, Dick and Perry are executed a few years later, on April 14, 1965. Dick dies first, followed by Perry, who apologizes for his crimes and expresses his opposition to capital punishment.
Dewey attends the hangings, but they do not provide him with the closure he had anticipated. He recalls a previous encounter with Susan Kidwell near the Clutters' graves, where Susan informed him that Bobby Rupp recently got married and that she now studies art. Dewey reflects on how Susan reminds him of Nancy and leaves the scene.