3.0 Stars

This novel truly had a great deal of potential. It seemed to hold the promise of an exciting and captivating story. However, as I delved deeper into the actual narrative, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. It simply did not live up to the potential that it initially presented.

This is a book that I can say I liked, but I didn't love it with all my heart. There were certain aspects that appealed to me, yet something was lacking to make it a truly outstanding read. I think Ira Levin, the author, has some really great ideas. His imagination is clearly at work here.

But I find myself wishing that he had pushed the horror and suspense elements even further. There were moments when I thought the story was about to take a thrilling turn, but it just didn't quite reach that level of intensity that I was hoping for. Overall, it was an okay read, but it could have been so much more if the horror and suspense had been ramped up.

One day, as he looked at the list, he told himself aloud, “You’re crazy.” Then, affectionately, he added, “You’re a crazy nut.” But in truth, he didn’t really think that way. Instead, he believed himself to be daring, audacious, brilliant, intrepid, and bold.

The 1956 movie version of the book was really good, as he remembered. He couldn't even tell the name of the protagonist until he was a third of the way through the novel. He thought he knew who it was, but he was wrong. And he wanted the reader to be wrong too, to experience the same unnerving feeling when they found out who he was and, more importantly, what he was.

The protagonist was a sociopath. He tried to fit into society but found it very unsatisfying. By the end of August, after being in New York for five months and having six jobs, he was again prey to the awful insecurity of being just one among many. He sat in his furnished room and devoted time to serious self-analysis. Deciding that getting rich on his own was too much work, took too much time, and required a dollop of luck, he thought it would be easier to marry money.

After weighing all the girls at college, he settled on Dorothy Kingship. Her name denoted her status, as her father was a copper king worth fabulous amounts of money. She was the middle daughter of three, beautiful (a bonus), and insecure (a huge bonus). Everything was going smoothly until Dorothy got pregnant. His dreams of becoming the son-in-law of a filthy rich man dissipated, and all he was left with was the vision of Dorothy's swelling stomach.

This couldn't be! Her father would disown her. Dorothy didn't care about the money, which infuriated him. Their conversation reminded him of the interactions between William and Jocelyn in the movie A Knight's Tale. He made the argument to Dorothy that she would pine for the scents of jasmine, lavender, and rose when her hair, clothes, and skin started to smell like swine, but really, he was worried about losing his dreams of the Kingship fortune.

This was where the sociopath segment of the book took off. The decisions he made to fix this issue were ruthless. He wasn't worried about the morality of it, but he was worried about getting caught and facing punishment. Things got worse when he realized it would be easier to seduce another Kingship daughter than to start all over researching and romancing another debutante.

Next up was Ellen, and if she didn't work out, there was always Marion. *SHUDDER!!* There was also a 1991 film version of the book, starring Sean Young and Matt Dillon, which he hadn't seen but had read deviated significantly from the original plot.

Ira Levin did a wonderful job creating unease in the reader. The tension grew with each turned page, and he found himself rooting against the protagonist while still being fascinated to see what he would do next. Would he be stopped? And at what point would he make that fatal error? It was no surprise that Levin won the 1954 Edgar Award for best first novel at just twenty-four years old. His youth was never evident in the plotting or character development, as it read like a writer in his prime.

He wanted to share the moment when the criminal mind was accessing the books owned by one of his potential victims and what those books said about her. ”...and the books, for what better index of the personality is there?---(the novels and plays, the non-fiction and verse, all chosen in proportion and representation of her tastes). It was like the concentrated abbreviation of a Help Wanted ad. The egocentricity which motivated it was not that of the spoiled, but of the too little spoiled; the lonely.”

He didn't know what the protagonist would make of his library, except maybe that he needed to see a shrink, but he could tell that this reader was never lonely as long as he had a book close at hand. He highly recommended the book for those who liked their books hardboiled in salt and vinegar. If you wished to see more of his most recent book and movie reviews, you could visit http://www.jeffreykeeten.com. He also had a Facebook blogger page at https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten.

Here’s one that truly astonished me.

I had not anticipated liking this one to such an extent.

Moreover, it is also one that I am baffled as to how I managed to overlook for so long.

I encountered this title because an author whom I hold in high regard spoke about the book and how it had had a profound influence on his writing career, specifically his novels (alongside Ruth Rendell’s One Across, Two Down - which is now also on my to-be-read pile).

This book is written in the style of the 50’s - 60’s, with more narrative “telling” rather than “showing”, yet the author is extremely proficient and makes it work.

I picked up this book, began reading, and simply could not put it down.

The point of view character is despicable, much like the one in The Talented Mr. Ripley by Highsmith, and yet the author managed to keep me engaged throughout the entire time.

It was like witnessing a slow-motion train wreck.

I knew what was going to occur and yet could not tear my gaze away.

For those readers who have a penchant for this kind of suspense, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

David Putnam, author of The Bruno Johnson series.

A Kiss Before Dying is a 1953 novel written by Ira Levin, which won the 1954 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.

Before even starting to read it, I must admit I was already disappointed. However, it was my own fault. I have no idea why I own this book as it doesn't seem like the type I would buy. But there it was on the shelf, so I began. I thought it was a mystery, and since I love mysteries, my disappointment grew before the first chapter began.

The back of the novel had a paragraph that led me to believe the co-ed was dead, either by suicide or something else, and her sister was in danger while trying to figure out the truth. That was the gist of the plot I knew before opening the book.

When I did open it, the inside cover had a disturbing scene that made me even more disappointed. It seemed like the young co-ed was thrown off the roof by her boyfriend. I thought the sister would show up and either be killed by the boyfriend or kill him, which didn't seem like much of a mystery.

As I started reading, I found out that the perhaps suicidal co-ed was Dorothy Kingship, the youngest daughter of a wealthy man. The events leading up to her fall/jump/push off the roof were quite suspenseful. The only mystery in the first section that I couldn't figure out was why Dorothy borrowed a belt but didn't wear it.

The second section began with Ellen, Dorothy's sister, going to her college a year after her death. She was convinced there was more to the story and wanted to find the man who fathered Dorothy's child. The search for this man was very suspenseful, and I didn't even realize I didn't know his name until well into the second section.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but the second section had many twists and turns. When we finally found out who the killer was at the end of the section, I was completely surprised.

The third section wasn't as enjoyable for me, but it still kept me reading until the last page. Maybe I'll read it again someday, but now that all the surprises are known, I'm not sure. Overall, I'd give it three and a half stars if possible.

I absolutely loved this book!

From the very beginning, it had me on the edge of my seat, constantly surprising me with its twists and turns.

I found myself completely engrossed in the story, unable to put it down.

The author did an excellent job of building suspense and keeping me guessing until the very end.

I had no idea how it was going to conclude, which made it all the more exciting.

By the time I reached the final page, I was left feeling satisfied and impressed.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller.

It's a must-read for book lovers everywhere!

I truly adored and relished this book to an extreme extent.

It has been an incredibly long time since I've had such a seamless and outstanding reading encounter.

The story is filled with elements that are both fun and funny, yet also have moments that are dreadful and upsetting.

It's full of unexpected twists and turns, with a few boo boos here and there, but every single second I spent reading it was more than worth it.

I'm not entirely sure what genre this book truly belongs to, but it suits me in so many different ways that I couldn't care less about the typical classification.

All I know is that when I reached the last page, I was overcome with sadness.

I could have easily devoured another 500 pages without hesitation.

Some might choose to criticize its ending or its middle, or whatever other aspect they wish to spend their time writing about.

However, I firmly believe that if you're seeking a remarkable book that flows effortlessly, takes you on an unforgettable journey, and makes you smile whenever you sit down to read it, then this is the book for you.

This is the story of what occurs when a girl becomes pregnant and the boy is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that she doesn't become a burden on him.

Boys are often willing to go to great lengths for certain things, such as sexual encounters and money.

I recently watched the 1956 movie that was based on this book. It starred Robert Wagner and Joanne Woodward, and initially, I had not made the connection between the movie and the book. Nevertheless, I watched it and then picked up the book from the library, suspecting that there might be some differences. However, to my surprise, there were hardly any. What is presented in the movie is almost identical to the book. The few differences that did exist were likely made for the convenience of filming or casting. For instance, in the movie, Joanne Woodward takes an awkward fall off a set of bleachers, a scene that is not present in the book. I'm not sure why, but I really wished that this scene had been in the book. Mainly because the scene in the movie seemed really strange.

Also, it's worth noting that Robert Wagner comes across as rather creepy. Even before the speculation surrounding his possible involvement in the death of Natalie Wood years later, Wagner had a certain creepiness about him that was quite unique.

This is a quick and engaging read, recommended for anyone who enjoys reading thrillers. I didn't think I would be able to finish it in just one sitting, but I did. And, once again, watching the movie first did not really spoil the experience of reading the book for me.

A friend recommended Ira Levin to me. He is an author who wrote only seven novels. However, his works are truly remarkable. One of his novels, Rosemary's Baby, even prompted the gothic revival. Additionally, he wrote The Stepford Wives, The Boys from Brazil, and Sliver, all of which were adapted into films. Alongside these novels, he also penned the long-running Broadway comic thriller Deathtrap. All of this makes me wonder why I had waited so long to explore his work.

A Kiss Before Dying, his first novel published in 1953, is a taut and tense suspense novel. It reminded me of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley, which it predates by a year. This novel truly holds up and does not feel dated at all. It switches viewpoints, most memorably between the cold-blooded killer and the victim. There are a couple of clever twists, and the whole story is so gripping and perfectly realized that it would be easy to read in one sitting.

I am now looking forward to reading more of Ira Levin's works. I am eager to discover the other thrilling stories and unique perspectives that he has to offer. I believe that each of his novels will be a captivating journey into the world of mystery and suspense.

4/5

A Kiss Before Dying not only debuted the talent of best-selling novelist Ira Levin to rave reviews, it also set a new standard in the art of mystery and suspense. Now a modern classic, as gripping in its tautly plotted action as it is penetrating in its exploration of a criminal mind, it tells the shocking tale of a young man who will stop at nothing - not even murder - to get where he wants to go. For he has dreams; plans. He also has charm, good looks, sex appeal, intelligence. And he has a problem. Her name is Dorothy; she loves him, and she's pregnant. The solution may demand desperate measures. But, then, he looks like the kind of guy who could get away with murder. Compellingly, step by determined step, the novel follows this young man in his execution of one plan he had neither dreamed nor foreseen. Nor does he foresee how inexorably he will be enmeshed in the consequences of his own extreme deed.

If that new thriller you're holding fails to satisfy or disappoints you, simply put it down. Instead, pick up this one. Trust me on this.

A charming and smooth-talking gold digger devises a plan. He'll stop at nothing to obtain what he desires, not even resorting to murder.

This is one of the finest books I've read this year! This mystery/suspense/thriller/crime novel is truly amazing! This 1953 modern classic has set the standard for what contemporary thriller genre authors are竭力 attempting to achieve. It has aged gracefully and is an easy yet engrossing read. I emphasize "engrossing." I managed to shirk some household chores today just to finish this one.

Levin is also the author of "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Stepford Wives," but in my opinion, this one is a million times better. It sucks you in and refuses to let go. It has twists and turns galore. It has everything! My heart was pounding at the climatic ending. I highly recommend it and believe it's a must-read. This novel has been adapted into a movie twice. The first movie starred Robert Wagner, and the second starred Matt Dillon. So, if it's good enough to be made into a movie twice, you know it has to be excellent.

*** One word of caution: there is some harsh profanity. It's not on every page or in every chapter, but there is one particular harsh expletive (that I loathe) that appears around 10 times throughout the entire novel.

He was very intelligent and even in a situation where I thought I had outsmarted him, he was able to prove me wrong.

He also had the charm of being a beginner, which was kind of endearing to me.

In any case, my love for Ira Levin increased.

I found myself constantly thinking about him and looking forward to our interactions.

His intelligence and charm were a deadly combination that kept drawing me in.

Although I knew that getting involved with him might not be the easiest thing, I couldn't help but be attracted to him.

Maybe it was fate that brought us together, or maybe it was just a coincidence.

But whatever it was, I was willing to take the risk and see where this would lead.

After all, love is often a leap of faith, and I was ready to take that leap with Ira Levin.

As usual, I don't like to go into many details about the plot, especially in a book like this.

The appeal of this book lies partly in the suspense, the not knowing what is going to happen next. Many people classify the book as mystery/thriller, but in my opinion, that's a mistake.

We already know who did it. There's no mystery for the reader. Yes, there are thrills to be had. The time period is noir-ish, and there is a murder. But that's where the similarities with Hammet and Chandler stop.

This, like a lot of Levin's work, is actually a book of horror. We know the dangers the characters face. We know what's going on inside the antagonist's heart. We know, we're watching, and yet we can't do a damn thing about it.

As a result, we constantly face a sense of dread about what's going to happen next, and at the same time, we have a hope that the antagonist will get what's coming to him.

This is more a hallmark of horror than of mystery and thriller. This was Ira Levin's first book, which is pretty amazing to consider. It's really quite great. One of the things I've always loved about Levin is his ability to deal with the issue of betrayal of trust.

For example, Rosemary's Baby is less about the hellspawn growing in her stomach and more about the betrayal of her husband and those she thought of as friends. You can see that in A Kiss Before Dying too, but in a different format.

This book won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel for author Ira Levin in 1954. He was on his way to becoming one of the most popular authors of the middle/late 20th century. It was quite a remarkable beginning. Levin weaves the tale of a truly horrible, greedy, and remorseless young man. His sole aim is to get ahead by any means necessary. What better way than to find a girlfriend whose father is filthy rich? However, she throws a monkey wrench in the works by getting pregnant. Since this was written in the 1950s, that situation could lead to being disinherited. So, he kills her. (This wasn't really a spoiler as it was obvious the murder was going to occur.) But wait, she has two other sisters, so he still has a chance to get rich quick.

Levin throws in an unexpected twist about halfway into the book that I didn't see coming. It's very clever and makes you turn back to what you've already read to see if you should have known what was coming. After that, the book slows down a bit. The attitudes of the characters are very reflective of the 1950s, somewhat dating the story. Nevertheless, it is a jewel of a book. It has been overshadowed by some of Levin's other works such as Rosemary's Baby and The Boys from Brazil. It's a quick and satisfying read.