Ira Levin, once described by Stephen King as "the Swiss watchmaker of suspense novels: he makes what the rest of us do look like cheap watchmakers in drugstores," has died aged 78.

Over a long writing career, Levin was responsible for a number of highly-respected works which also went on to become successful films.

Mia Farrow shot to fame as the titular mother of a satanic child in Rosemary’s Baby, based on Levin’s 1967 novel, while Gregory Peck headlined the version of Levin’s clone saga The Boys from Brazil. Levin’s 1972 satirical novel The Stepford Wives spawned two separate film versions, starring Katherine Ross and Nicole Kidman, as well as a series of TV movies.

He was also a successful playwright, penning Deathtrap which provided the basis for the movie starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve.