3.94
'A Kiss Before Dying' by Ira Levin is a gripping and suspenseful novel that tells the story of a young man named Bud Corliss, who will stop at nothing to secure his future. The novel is a classic example of a psychological thriller, with Levin expertly building tension and suspense throughout the narrative. The story begins with the murder of Dorothy Kingship, a wealthy young woman who is pregnant with Bud's child. Bud, who comes from a poor background, sees Dorothy as his ticket to a better life, and is determined to marry her and gain access to her family's fortune. When Dorothy's pregnancy threatens to derail his plans, Bud decides to take matters into his own hands and murders her. The novel then follows Bud as he attempts to move on with his life, pursuing a relationship with Dorothy's sister Ellen in order to maintain his connection to the Kingship family. However, as Bud's past begins to catch up with him, he finds himself increasingly paranoid and desperate to keep his secrets hidden. Levin's writing is sharp and incisive, with a keen eye for detail that brings the characters and settings to life. The novel explores themes of class, ambition, and the lengths to which people will go to secure their place in society. At its core, 'A Kiss Before Dying' is a gripping tale of suspense and psychological intrigue, with a shocking twist that will leave readers breathless. Overall, 'A Kiss Before Dying' is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. Its tight plotting, complex characters, and masterful use of tension and suspense make it a standout addition to any reader's bookshelf...
Patricia Highsmith
The Talented Mr. Ripley
This psychological thriller follows the life of Tom Ripley, a charming sociopath who assumes the identity of a wealthy man in order to live a life of luxury. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, class, and the consequences of one's actions.
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Rebecca
This classic gothic novel tells the story of a young woman who marries a wealthy widower and moves into his estate, only to be haunted by the memory of his first wife, Rebecca. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, memory, and the secrets that lie beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect life.
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Gone Girl
This psychological thriller follows the story of a marriage gone terribly wrong. On the day of their fifth anniversary, Amy Dunne goes missing and her husband, Nick, becomes the prime suspect. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, deception, and the darkness that lies beneath the surface of a relationship.
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The Secret History
This psychological thriller follows a group of classics students at a small college who become obsessed with recreating the rituals of the ancient Greeks. When one of their members dies, they must cover up their involvement in his death. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, class, and the consequences of one's actions.
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The Silent Patient
This psychological thriller tells the story of a woman who refuses to speak after allegedly murdering her husband. A criminal psychotherapist becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind her silence. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, memory, and the secrets we keep from ourselves and others.
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Sharp Objects
This psychological thriller follows a journalist who returns to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. As she investigates, she must confront her own demons and the darkness that lies beneath the surface of her family. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, memory, and the secrets we keep from ourselves and others.
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The Girl on the Train
This psychological thriller follows a woman who becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation that sends shockwaves through her life. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, memory, and the consequences of one's actions.
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The Woman in the Window
This psychological thriller tells the story of an agoraphobic woman who believes she's witnessed a crime in her neighbor's house. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, memory, and the secrets we keep from ourselves and others.
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In the Woods
This psychological thriller follows a detective who is called to investigate a murder in the same woods where he was found as a child, with no memory of what happened. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, memory, and the consequences of one's actions.
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The Good Daughter
This psychological thriller tells the story of a woman who returns to her hometown after a violent tragedy, only to be drawn into a web of secrets and lies. Like 'A Kiss Before Dying', this book explores themes of identity, memory, and the consequences of one's actions.
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