A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin

I usually avoid detective stories. This excellent book was almost a miss for me too. I read a few pages and was about to abandon it. I have a habit of quickly putting away books that don't immediately grip me. However, this often means that I will come back to the books I admire later, in case I run out of new ones I like. After all, I know there are around 70-80 books that I not only love but also forget much of their plot and events over time. So, what's the point of holding onto works that seem hard to digest?

Well, A Kiss Before Dying provides an answer. There were two choices: one, after reading two pages and seeing the cover, which indicated it was a crime story, I could have put it away. The second option was to give it a try and stick with it for a while. It paid off handsomely. Not only was I trapped and enticed by this thrilling book, but I loved it so much that I savored it in small portions, like caviar.

Now, the problem is how to tell you about it. Since I can't mention anything about the plot, I'll start from the beginning. From the start, we get "action" - violence is present right from the outset. This is actually my main issue with crime stories. Why waste time reading about a violent, devious, and unworthy guy (the killer is rarely a woman, if I'm not mistaken)? Perhaps for the same reason we read about Mephisto, Machiavelli, Wormwood... These people or demons exist, and sometimes they make for pretty interesting characters. It's often more exciting to learn about complex, smart, yet devilish characters than one-sided and often boring ones.

The author, Ira Levin, is the smartest guy in the room. It takes courage to create such complex stories with surprising, if not shocking, events. Levin's perspective is flawless. At one point, there is a new apparition that I thought would stay with us for a while, if not until the end. Unlike blockbuster movies where you can tell from the start that a certain star is going to survive everything because they get paid $20 million per movie, in this book, there are no guarantees. There is a slim chance that a character who seems important might disappear after ten minutes. There is a sense of "too much" in A Kiss Before Dying, but I can't say from what angle since I'm sworn not to give anything away. However, even this aspect is amazingly handled by Levin, who is a master of dealing with suspense and making you believe things are really happening the way you read about them. The psychological insight of this great author is nothing short of marvelous. The creepy thing is that you start wondering: Is this guy for real, or what? It seems like Levin has all it takes to kill someone. But what if he did? He's so good at planning everything that he would probably get away with it. Kevorkian, the Literature professor I had in high school, used to say that every masterpiece has an excellent crime story in it. I'm thinking of Crime and Punishment, War and Peace... But what's the crime story in Madame Bovary? Perhaps her infidelity? This is an excellent book.

A Tale of Betrayal and Retribution in the Mid-20th Century

This is a captivating story that unfolds in the mid-20th century. It centers around a handsome yet sociopathic young man who desires to achieve instant wealth through the easiest means - marrying into riches. To this end, he befriends Dorothy, the youngest daughter of a copper tycoon. However, as the saying goes, riches are not easily come by. The plot is filled with predictable twists that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

I was amazed to discover that this is the first book written by Its Levin when he was only 22 years old. The writing style and the complexity of the story do not seem to be the work of a young novice. It is a remarkable achievement for someone so young.

This book is highly recommended to all mystery buffs, especially those who value characterization more than action. It offers a deep exploration of the characters' motives and desires, making it a thought-provoking read.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my friend Delee, who recommended this outstanding novel.

Ira Levin, widely renowned for his terrifying Rosemary's Baby, penned A Kiss Before Dying as his debut novel.

This novel won the 1954 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Readers will be astonished that this suspenseful and thrilling book could have been written by a novice novelist, who was merely 24 years old.

Levin fills this novel with one surprise after another. It's a book that will leave you breathless when you finally release the breath you didn't even know you were holding.

It is highly recommended for those who love a good mystery and a heart-pounding read.

This novel is a testament to Levin's talent and his ability to captivate readers from the very first page.

Whether you're a fan of thrillers or simply looking for a great book to get lost in, A Kiss Before Dying is sure to satisfy.

So, don't hesitate to pick up a copy and experience the excitement for yourself.

You won't be disappointed.

A 24-hour read. Levin has such an easy way of writing that makes the story flow effortlessly. This was a brilliant thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I don't often read thrillers that don't also involve mysteries, but after reading this one, I think maybe I need to. It really blew me away!

The main character was so detestable, which added an extra layer of excitement and shock to the story. I found myself constantly rooting against him, yet at the same time, I couldn't look away. The plot twists and turns were unexpected and kept me guessing until the very end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller.

I have been a huge fan of Ira Levin ever since I watched the movie "Deathtrap" in 1982, which was based on his 1978 play. It is an absolute must-see for mystery lovers. And "A KISS BEFORE DYING", Levin's first novel written in 1953, is an essential read!

The story begins much like many others. A poor boy meets a rich girl. The poor boy and the rich girl start dating. Everything seems to be going well until the rich girl gets pregnant.

Here's where things take an interesting turn. The poor boy is actually a psychopath who has been dating the rich girl only to marry her for her money. Now that his plans are thwarted, he lures her to the top of the tallest building and pushes her off the roof.

Dorothy is the youngest of three sisters. She is a naive girl from a wealthy family and meets the man she thinks she wants to marry while studying at Stoddard College in Blue River, Iowa. Their relationship is going perfectly until she announces she is pregnant. Instead of getting married, she meets a tragic end. The police rule it a suicide, but her sister Ellen is not convinced and goes to Blue River in search of the truth.

"A KISS BEFORE DYING" is a thrilling and well-plotted mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, never knowing who to trust.

First of all, a huge shoutout goes to my new favorite book character, Gordon Gant! He is absolutely hilarious, with a witty charm that is truly captivating. And for the lack of a better word, he is just plain cool.

The plot of "A KISS BEFORE DYING" is simply so satisfying. Everything in it "flows" perfectly. From the constantly changing points of view to the numerous twists and turns, I found myself completely engrossed. There isn't a single bland character or a line of meaningless dialogue. It's truly a masterpiece.

Every page turn brings new excitement and anticipation. The author has done an amazing job of creating a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I can't recommend this book enough, especially if you're a fan of thrilling and engaging reads. Gordon Gant and the world of "A KISS BEFORE DYING" are definitely worth exploring.

Between 1948 and 1954, the legendary film director and master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, provided us with unbearable tension in films such as Rope, Strangers on a Train, and Rear Window.

Then, in 1954, a 24-year-old writer named Ira Levin published his first novel, A Kiss Before Dying, adding a new dimension to the word suspense.

I have always believed that Levin's tale of murder and menace was far superior to either of the film adaptations. Maybe Hitchcock could have created a better version? It has been a long time since I first read this novel, and it had one advantage: I could recall who was not the killer, but I was completely at a loss when it came to remembering who it was!

Although it is not my favorite Levin novel, it is an impressive debut and one that was well worth a second reading. It showcases Levin's talent for crafting a thrilling and suspenseful story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

The novel's complex characters and intricate plot make it a captivating read, and it is easy to see why it has remained a classic of the genre for so many years.

I never reviewed this after reading it in 2017 and have mostly forgotten about it since, except for one mind-blowing twist that really took my breath away. The book's high point, it was mostly downhill from there. I can't say I recommend the 1956 film adaptation, either. I mentioned it in a review for a different book in 2018:

Not a big reader of twisty books, but the best twist I’ve come across was in Ira Levin’s A Kiss Before Dying.

But even I'll admit I've barely scratched the surface of twisty genres like horror and mystery. So what do I know? I'm just an easily impressed horror bumpkin. Nothing to immediately put at the top of your TBR here, folks.

Or maybe there is. I recently found myself skimming part of Danse Macabre, Stephen King's classic overview of the horror genre. When I stumbled across the following quote about A Kiss Before Dying, to my shock, the master of horror backs me up. That unexpected reveal truly is twist gold. Maybe you don't have to have read every scary book out there to know when you're eye to eye with brilliance. King also goes off on an exquisite rant on the villainy of literary line cutters. Enjoy.

A Kiss Before Dying is a gritty suspense story told with great élan—rarity enough, but what is even more rare is that the book (written while Levin was in his early twenties) contains surprises which really surprise...

Title in Spanish: Un beso antes de morir; Bésame antes de morir: Kiss Me Before Dying

This book truly has a clever plot. The way it is carried through with a brilliant point of view (POV) is quite remarkable.

However, I simply could not stand any of the characters. As a result, I ended up skimming most of this book.

My guess is that the reading experience may vary greatly depending on how much one can relate to the characters. In my case, it turned out that my ability to relate to the flat female characters who seemed too dumb to live was approximately nil.

When it comes to the plot, I would rate it a five. But when it comes to the characters, it's a zero. Overall, it's a work of genius that, unfortunately, only deserves a three due to the lackluster characters.

Perhaps others will have a different perspective and be able to connect with the characters on a deeper level, but for me, this book fell short in that regard.

I come from a wealthy New York family, and my life intertwines with that of a charming and unprejudiced social climber. Dorothy, the youngest daughter of the copper magnate Leo Kingship, falls in love with a university companion who is a few years older. However, something goes wrong as Dorothy gets pregnant before marriage, and the two young people are forced to reevaluate their future plans. What Dorothy doesn't know is that her fiancé's plans are already far too detailed, and they dangerously lean towards money rather than love...

I have already declared my love for Levin (which started too late). You know how I think about him. And this latest book I read has only strengthened my love for this writer. The absolute protagonist of this novel is a young man, of whom a brief biography is given in the first few pages of the book. The protagonist is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a manipulator, driven by the idea of having the right to wealth and comfort, and he doesn't hesitate to use every means to get where he wants. A man with a charming personality, but inevitably deviated. A subtly bad character who creates empathy in the reader, who devours the pages of this book, one after another.

Levin's first work is a pearl, with great plot twists and narrative tension. The writing is as magnetic as in the other titles I have read. A book that is not easily forgotten.

I warmly recommend it to you!

Everything commences in a manner that resembles a fairy tale, yet there is one notable exception. In this story, the prince charming is highly ambitious, despite being as impoverished as a church mouse. Meanwhile, the princess is the daughter of a millionaire. Sadly, due to unforeseen circumstances, she has to meet her untimely demise. I shall not disclose anything further at this moment – you can peruse it on the blurb.

Notwithstanding this, the career and money remain within the fortune hunter's grasp because, as fate would have it, on the horizon appears the sister of the murdered girl. However, by a strange twist of fate, she too must bid farewell to this world. Then, there is the last remaining chance: the third sister, who surely will not be able to resist the handsome and mysterious seducer. And thus, the fairy tale transforms into a genuine thriller with a surprising epilogue that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

I could once count the list of my all-time-favorite Noir classics on the hand with four fingers. They were:

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain.

Pop. 1280 by Jim Thompson.

A Rage in Harlem by Chester Himes.

Build My Gallows High by Geoffrey Homes.

Then I read Black Wings Has My Angel by Elliott Chaze and I had to use my five-fingered hand to keep track of them. Now, though, I would need to be that infamous 6-fingered man to keep track of them all for A Kiss Before Dying is that good.

Ira Levin, the master of demonic horror and suburban sci-fi, is also a master of gritty noir. Who knew? This book, A Kiss Before Dying, takes the reader on a thrilling journey through the seedy underbelly of society. The story is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Levin's writing is so vivid and engaging that you feel like you are right there with the characters, experiencing their every emotion. It's a must-read for any fan of Noir literature.