This is an amazing book! I’ve seen all the movies made and the book is by far my favorite. Ira Levine’s writing style is incredible and I highly recommend. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you question if you really know a persons that well. Greed is at the top of this story and he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.

A young college student named Dorothy meets a handsome gold digger. She’s in love with him, his eyes are set on her family’s money.

His plans are tanked when Dorothy gets pregnant before they are married. She doesn’t care that daddy will cut off her inheritance, she’s in love. He has other dastardly plans.

Holy smoke I hated the villain! He’s a completely despicable human!

The book was written by the author of Rosemary’s Baby in the 1950’s when he was 23. It’s told in 3 parts from different POVs.

The story is a little dated or I guess I should say you feel like you’ve been transported back to that era. The choice of narrator was great & only added to that feeling!

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, I hope we see more classics in audio!

It took me a long time to get into this, but it was definitely worth it in the end. Maybe not my favorite, but worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.

Oh wow!!! I did not see that plot twist coming!!! This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last! Such a good story!

I just love the way Ira Levin writes people. I'm not obsessed with this book in the way I am with "Rosemary's Baby" and "Stepford Wives," BUT those are two of the highest book bars I have. "A Kiss Before Dying" is an excellent, layered thriller. Every turn the story took (and there are many) sucked me in deeper. This one will also go on the reread list, and I'm interested to see how the movie compares.

Dark and twisted and I was here for it. This reminded me a little of a Stephen King read, although maybe less horror and more thriller/suspense.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was a fun read, I really enjoyed the suspense. I can't believe I've never read this before! The narrator did great for this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Set in the 50s-60s a young poor man meets rich girl Dorothy and he feels he has found his ticket to wealth and plans on marrying Dorothy to get a hold of the family fortune. Prior to their wedding they find out that Dorothy is pregnant and now he is trying to find a way out of becoming a father On the day of the wedding he convinces Dorothy to go to the roof of the building where they are to be married to enjoy the beautiful view prior to them tying the not. All of a sudden tragedy strikes and Dorothy falls from the ledge of the building and it is deemed a suicide. Dorothy's sister Ellen does not believe this is the case and she does her own undercover investigation and becomes this poor boy's next love interest to try and get answers about her sister's death. Will Ellen suffer the same tragedy or will she find out the truth?.....Enjoy!!!

First published in 1953, A Kiss Before Dying continues to shine with age. Perhaps not my favorite Ira Levin novel, but it certainly dragged my back down the rabbit hole of reading or re-reading his books.

This is my first Ira Levin book where I went in completely blind. I had no idea what to expect other than that I loved Rosemary's Baby and The Stepford Wives. The book is described as a thriller or mystery. I would say this is an accurate description of the genre.

Like other books by Levin the book is expertly paced and I was curious to see what would happen next.

I have listened to several books narrated by George Newbern. I find his voice to be comforting even when he is reading something dark.

I've decided that I will have to do a movie marathon of Levin's adaptations. I'm excited! Rosemary's Baby is my all time favorite movie.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ira Levin's legacy, and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to listen to A Kiss Before Dying. I have written this review voluntarily.

Ira Levin's `A Kiss Before Dying' is a thriller about a self-absorbed sociopath intent on marrying into money. I can’t believe that it was Ira Levin’s first book. I have read almost all his books. A wonderful, talented author. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing this advanced copy to me.

Ira Levin will always have a special place in my heart. I started with Rosemary's Baby. That being said, I have never listened to any of his books. The narrator in this - knocked it out of the park. Even though I read this many years ago, it was as good this time as it was the first. Thank you for this opportunity.

Dorie is in a tough spot. She is 2 months pregnant by her boyfriend. Her boyfriend has agreed to marry her, making her beyond happy. But Dorie's boyfriend is devoted, just not to her...

I'm a huge Ira Levin fan. My prize possession is a signed 1st edition of <i>Rosemary's Baby</i> that I was beyond thrilled to find. This was a reread for me, although it has been quite a few years. Levin's books are wonderfully written. The plot of this one in particular is just so audacious, but somehow it works. The narration was great as well. Listened to this in an afternoon.

I will never not want to pick up a Levin title.

It's so great to finally have Ira Levin books available via audio! A Kiss Before Dying is a strange, sort of murder mystery in reverse. High drama, slow-ish action. It's not a favorite, but def a must read for lovers of classic horror and suspense.

The audio narration is great! The two narrators are easy to listen to and follow, even at 2x+ speed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Audio for a copy to listen to and review.

This is a psychological suspense story. I really like this author and I last listened to Rosemary’s Baby by this author and I really enjoyed it in audio form so ai knew I wanted to listen to this one. This guy is crazy in this story. He’s is obsessed with money and will stop at nothing to have his way. He becomes obsessed with this girl and wants to marry her and then she gets pregnant and he does whatever to protect his future. This authors audiobooks are so well narrated. I would definitely recommend listening to it.

I'm not sure what occasion prompted someone to record a new reading of A Kiss Before Dying, but I'm glad they did. This is one of those books that has so overwhelmingly influenced everything that came after that it can feel dated and unfinished to modern readers who come across it in formats dating to its original release, but having the crisp digital audio brings it onto the same level as the modern thrillers it inspired.

Given the number of adaptations over the years, I particularly appreciated that this was a straightforward reading - not a full-cast dramatization. I've always thought the story worked best as a book - so much of the dialogue that sounds clunky and melodramatic on screen comes across much more naturally as characters' internal monologues.

The only drawback of the new and improved edition is that its modern sound draws attention to, as the trigger warning would say, "period-typical attitudes about social issues." The degree to which the murder victims are treated as collateral damage by even the "good" characters obviously predates modern feminism, and the situation that starts it all will probably confuse some younger listeners (why would they HAVE to get married?) - but it's worth pushing past the modern perspective to hear the story in its original form.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

A Kiss Before Dying, written in the 1950s, is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Levin’s masterful storytelling weaves together love, betrayal, and murder in a way that leaves a lasting impact.

The characters are well-developed, and the plot twists are unexpected. The pacing is relentless, urging you to turn page after page. Levin’s exploration of human psychology and the lengths people will go for love or revenge is both chilling and thought-provoking.

While some aspects of the book may feel dated due to its mid-century setting, the core themes remain relevant. Whether you’re a fan of classic mysteries or simply enjoy a well-crafted suspense novel, A Kiss Before Dying is a must-read.

Narrated by George Newbern, this story was contemporary fiction at the time of its original release in the 50s. Ira Levin's debut novel won a well-deserved Edgar award when it came out. The book tells the story of a young man, recently returned from WWII who is seeking to become rich. He doesn't want to work too hard for the money though. He intends to marry into money.

Deciding to use the GI Bill to attend a college where he is likely to meet a wealthy girl, he encounters Dorothy (Dorrie) Kingbridge. Her father owns a copper mining concern, so she's a good prospect. But Dorothy becomes pregnant and wants to marry, which she's made clear will cause her to be disinherited. That's not acceptable so her handsome beau needs to deal with the problem. And he does. In a cruel way. Dorrie's sister Ellen is suspicious and visits the college town to follow up. Ellen believes there has been foul play and attempts to track down the men she believes may have courted her sister. She not only meets Dorrie's lover, she meets a radio newsman who wants to help her get to the bottom of the story. The meeting with Dorrie's love doesn't end well for Ellen.

Our veteran then manages to meet Marion, the oldest sister of the three. He successfully pursues her and they become engaged. The radio newsman has determinedly continued investigating. He meets and warns Marion's father about Bud Corliss, the fiancé. Marion, her father, and the dogged reporter take action to end Bud's pursuit of riches.

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mystery, or mystery with a twist won't be able to stop listening to this one.

Note: I listened to an audio ARC courtesy of NetGalley.

Ira Levin is a genius when it comes to fear and matter of factness. His almost painfully common characters are tweaked just enough to keep you up at night with their quirks and oversights.

He does not disappoint with this classic full blown with deceit, tragedy, love and lies, much to the demise of one unfortunate wealthy family who has involuntarily found an enemy in a seemingly innocent young man.

My first thought when finishing this audiobook- MOVIE WORTHY!
-perfect narration
-classic yet timeless vibes
-human monster for the win!
I’m so glad I listened to this one!