Library Journal
Levin's 1953 thriller dishes up a handsome young man with great social ambitions who also happens to be a sociopath. Not wanting anything to get in his way on the road to success, he must do the right thing when his girlfriend gets pregnant. But for him the right thing is murder. The novel is told from the perspectives of the killer and the girl's two sisters, who try to solve the mystery. Levin's thrillers are always fun. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
New York Times
An extraordinary suspense novel…an architecturally perfect plot…full-bodied characterization, subtle psychological exploration, vivid evocation of locale一with strict technical whodunit tricks as dazzling as anything ever brought off by Carr, Rawson, Queen, or Christie.”
Anthony Horowitz
A mystery and thriller like no other.”
Otto Penzler
Technically flawless.”
Stephen King
A gritty suspense story told with great élan…contains surprises which really surprise.”
award-winning author of Magpie Murders Anthony Horowitz
[Contains] one of the greatest clues in a murder mystery.”
New Yorker
The book is a succession of quite legitimate surprises, the suspense is admirably sustained, the detail is thorough and convincing, and the writing is considerably above the level usually associated with fictional crime and passion. A pleasure to recommend.”
Anthony Boucher - The New York Times
Here is not merely an extraordinary first but an extraordinary suspense novel by the highest professional standards;
and you have an evening of incomparable excitement ahead of you. Levin combines great talent for pure novel writing with strict whodunit tricks as dazzling as anything ever brought off by Ellery Queen or Agatha Christie.
The New Yorker
The book is a succession of quite legitimate surprises, the suspense is admirably sustained, the detail is thorough and convincing, and the writing is considerably above the level usually associated with fictional crime and passion. A pleasure to recommend.
The New Yorker
The book is a succession of quite legitimate surprises, the suspense is admirably sustained, the detail is thorough and convincing, and the writing is considerably above the level usually associated with fictional crime and passion. A pleasure to recommend.
JULY 2011 - AudioFile
This 1953 murder mystery could have been written yesterday. It's a unique, intelligent novel that dares to evolve beyond a whodunit into a thoughtful journey into the mind of a sociopath. Narrator Mauro Hantman skillfully performs, gracefully slipping from character to character so perfectly that the listener is never lost. Author Ira Levin, who also wrote ROSEMARY'S BABY and THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL, shows an astounding ability to craft a portrait of a man who is determined to marry into wealth—no matter how many sisters he has to kill. Levin cleverly tosses in a few curves about the identity of the killer, which Hantman does not betray. There's an ease to Hantman's performing style that gently leads the listener along until—BAM!—things get crazy. Hantman maintains complete control. M.S. 2012 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
