In the book, Capote sets us up to sympathize for the Clutter family. He makes this known at the beginning of the story when he first describes Holcomb in a positive way. He shows that pride in the town and the beauty. As it goes on, the mood starts to change and it gets more negative. This sets up the reader to feel depressed which leaves them vulnerable to sympathetic feelings for the reader. He does the same with the family themselves. Since they are to be brutally murdered later on in the story, Capote sets you up for this by describing them as a whole and individually. Showing Nancy's perfection and Mr. Clutters success only builds the disappointment and grief from the murder. When Capote tells about Mrs. Clutter, it gives you a lot of sympathy for her. The way she feels very unneeded by her family because of the families efficiency without her. Also being sick plays a big part in this sympathy. Since Mrs. Clutter is already depressed, it builds up a grim and sad mood that circulates throughout the whole book from the very beginning, to the murder, to the end. Capote creates this sympathetic effect to make the murder predictable and apparent but at the same time incredibly sad and horrifying. This makes the reader increasingly upset and sick to their stomach from the crime. I believe this is what Capote is aiming for in the books effect on the reader.