Dewey is effectively the hero of the story. Himself a Kansas family man who knew the Clutters, the case is personal for him and becomes an all-consuming “fixation.” Capote celebrates his patient and effective investigation, as Dewey’s methodical policework eventually leads to the capture of the two guilty parties. Though he does not seem overly emotional, his investment in the case is a testament to how affected he is by it, which takes a toll on his own family life.
Dewey’s wife Marie is also present in some scenes; herself the daughter of an FBI agent, she is a knowledgeable and sympathetic character mostly designed to comfort Dewey during the confronting and protracted investigation.
For the most part, Dewey’s motivations align with ours, as readers, though at times we are a few steps ahead as we are aware of who the killers are. But once they are captured, we and Dewey alike are desperate to uncover the motivation for the crime.
