This is really a good example of a flawless noir novel--fast paced excellence. I've been a fan of Levin ever since reading Rosemary's Baby back in high school. Since then I've read most of his other noteworthy fiction including The Boys from Brazil, The Stepford Wives, and This Perfect Day. All of these novels were excellent.
A Kiss Before Dying was written earlier in Levin's career, way back in 1953, back in an era when girls were much more naive and life was cheap. The story is about a returned WWII veteran who sets his sights on a young woman, Dorrie, whose father is rich and the head of a large copper conglomerate. But when Dorrie becomes pregnant, the man sees his chances for wealth going out the window because her father is very strict and probably won't support her after an illegitimate pregnancy. So what does he do? Well, I don't want to give too much away, but Dorrie also has two sisters in case the first attempt doesn't work out!
This novel has been made into two movie versions. The first was made in 1956 and stars Robert Wagner and the second in 1991 starring Matt Dillon and Sean Young. I saw the 1991 version a few years ago and remember enjoying it but the book is really a step above and I would highly recommend it.
A Kiss Before Dying was written earlier in Levin's career, way back in 1953, back in an era when girls were much more naive and life was cheap. The story is about a returned WWII veteran who sets his sights on a young woman, Dorrie, whose father is rich and the head of a large copper conglomerate. But when Dorrie becomes pregnant, the man sees his chances for wealth going out the window because her father is very strict and probably won't support her after an illegitimate pregnancy. So what does he do? Well, I don't want to give too much away, but Dorrie also has two sisters in case the first attempt doesn't work out!
This novel has been made into two movie versions. The first was made in 1956 and stars Robert Wagner and the second in 1991 starring Matt Dillon and Sean Young. I saw the 1991 version a few years ago and remember enjoying it but the book is really a step above and I would highly recommend it.
