The excerpt from In Cold Blood, written by Truman Capote, is a remarkable example of using suspense to interest the reader into learning very important details. Capote realizes that his reader will not find an ordinary town interesting and, therefore, displays details as though they are more captivating than they really are. Truman's writing is filled with reference to the setting of the story: accent, local language and slang. Holcomb, the name of this town, is “dry” and nothing has happened in the area up to this point. Capote’s stark use of diction and, more so, his repetition of the boring and laid back lifestyle highlight the fact that something is yet to
