Reviews

A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin

janinevduijn's review against another edition

5.0

Marvelous! The changing of the point of view kept me in suspense until the very last chapter.

coleycole's review against another edition

4.0

So suspenseful, such a well crafted suspense novel. Twists! Couldn't put it down. 4 out 5 because misogyny.

hhatfieldd's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

overall i really enjoyed this book

bud was literally an idiot, if he wouldn’t have gone for marion or even ellen he would’ve gotten away with it,., love gordon for getting to the bottom of things

kjedeli's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

gellyreads's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is a pretty solid crime novel, but I felt like I missed the emotional attachment and anxiety Highsmith has drawn out of me compared to this novel. Although this one had

a more satisfying, good-guy rewarding, Hays code ending.

alekya's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

emerygirl's review against another edition

4.0

I read this book for the first time over 20 years ago. My sister read it first and gave it to me. We didn't get along super great at the time, and I really enjoyed that we bonded over this book. Now we are best friends and I hack into her audible account. She bought this book and I thought of her the whole time I listened to it, reliving the experience 20 years later. It wasn't quite as good as I remember it from my teenage years, perhaps I liked it more for nostalgic issues?, but still a really good book. Thanks Becky!!

rachelellyn's review against another edition

5.0

Really enjoyed this book. Levin's writing style is a thing of beauty. From the 1950's time capsule settings and mannerisms to the plot twists and voice intonations, the story is perfect.

billymac1962's review against another edition

4.0

Ah, the psychotic sociopath. Where would suspense fiction be without it?
These days this fellow is prevalent throughout contemporary fiction. But this! This comes courtesy of Ira Levin, a debut novelist at the ripe age of 24 in 1953.

Of course, Levin is best known for Rosemary's Baby, but this one is very interesting just because of the time in which it was written, and how, despite the genre being so saturated now, this one stands up very well against today's contemporaries.

Levin's pacing in this novel is very good, especially when you consider his age, this being a debut, and not a whole lot to draw on from the genre. Impressive indeed.

I don't have much time to write a long review today, and maybe that's for the best.

Suffice it to say, this is very much worth the time and I can safely say I will read everything by this guy.
Four good stars.

borrelvissie's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense

3.5