Mystery Annotation: A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin

Author: Ira Levin

Title: A Kiss Before Dying

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publication Date: June 1953

Number of Pages: 244

Geographical Setting: United States (Iowa/New York)

Time Period: Early 1950s (contemporary to Levin)

Plot Summary: 

    The book opens with our protagonist—a young man recently honorably discharged from service in World War II—discovering that his girlfriend, Dorothy, is pregnant. This is the worst news he could receive, as he knows that her extremely wealthy father (the owner of a copper mine) will disapprove of a child conceived out of wedlock and a hasty marriage. Thus, our protagonist is unlikely to be the beneficiary of any of Dorothy's father's fortune, which he's been eyeing since before he even met Dorothy. To make matters worse, Dorothy insists that the two of them get married despite her father's inevitable outrage, as she has zero interest in his money.

  Inwardly, our protagonist curses, broods, and begins to strategize a way that he can still get what he wants. Outwardly, he puts on a loving face toward Dorothy, making her believe that all of his plans and decisions are in her best interest. When none of his initial ideas pan out how he hopes, he decides that the only remaining option is murder. 

    This is the kind of book that doesn't allow for much plot summary, because the twists and reveals start to roll in quite early in the story. So, I'll just give a couple of little hints: First, we do not learn the name of our main character until over halfway through the novel. Second, the novel is divided into three parts, titled "Dorothy," "Ellen," and "Marion," the names of the three Kinship sisters, each of whom is drawn into this grim story in a surprising way. 

    I think it's important to note that Ira Levin is also the author of Rosemary's Baby and The Stepford Wives, which are probably his most popular works. A Kiss Before Dying was his first novel, but I think fans of his more popular novels (and their movie adaptations) are likely to enjoy it just as much. I enjoyed it a lot, particularly because of the intricate detective work that supporting characters do to help solve the overall mystery. 

    It's also worth noting that the book is a product of its time, with some misogynistic aspects. That being said, the way Levin wrote the female characters suggests to me that he had a more progressive worldview than many others at the time. 

Subject Headings:

• Fiction
• Mystery
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Crime

Appeal:

• Pacing: Fast-paced
• Tone: Menacing and Darkly Humorous
• Storyline: Intricately-plotted

3 terms that best describe this book:

• Gripping
• Chilling
• Noir

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:

Psycho by Robert Bloch—While it's very likely that many of the twists and surprises in Psycho have long been spoiled for modern readers, it still delivers for readers who love suspense, a dark and gothic atmosphere, and fascinatingly twisted characters. Both Psycho and A Kiss Before Dying have been adapted to film more than once, and will appeal to those who are interested in exploring the source material behind the films.

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain—This book would be great for readers who want a crime mystery like A Kiss Before Dying, but with the noir elements cranked up a few notches. The Postman Always Rings Twice is a bit grittier, with more sex and violence, a similarly scheming male protagonist, a femme fatale, and a lot of dark secrets. 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn—This would be a good choice for readers who love a captivating, gritty, and unpredictable mystery, but who would prefer something contemporary, with a more nuanced perspective of gender roles and power dynamics.

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors:

The Life of Crime: Detecting the Histories of Mysteries and their Creators by Martin Edwards—Because it exemplifies many elements that characterize the genre, A Kiss Before Dying is now considered a classic in mystery and crime literature. Thus, its fans will likely be interested in the genre as a whole, and the way it has evolved and remained enormously popular over the decades. Personally, I've read very little mystery/crime/suspense, but I already feel an increased interest after reading A Kiss Before Dying.

Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry—I've never been interested in true crime, but as far as I can tell, Helter Skelter is an essential read for those who are. It tells the story of the Charles Manson murders and is, according to Wikipedia, the bestselling true crime book of all time. It will appeal to readers interested in the psychology of a killer (which is a major theme of A Kiss Before Dying). 

American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century by Maureen Callahan—This book is also for those readers who are fascinated by true crime, but who may already know what there is to know about Manson, Bundy, Dahmer, etc., and are interested in the mysterious and lesser-known Israel Keyes.