Ripley Under Water

More about the book

Master of the psychological thriller, Patricia Highsmith presents Tom Ripley and his wife Heloïse, who lead a tranquil life in their home near Fontainebleau, where Tom tends to the garden and plays the harpsichord. Their idyllic existence is disrupted by David Pritchard, an American with a submissive, mentally unstable wife, Janice. Pritchard, an eccentric stalker, obsessively seeks to uncover Tom's sordid past, fixating on the mysterious disappearance of Thomas Murchison, an art collector who posed a threat to Tom. As Pritchard begins to harass Tom, hinting that he knows his secrets, the situation escalates following a brutal confrontation in Tangier. Pritchard's search for Murchison's body through local canals heightens the danger. This is the fifth and final novel in the Ripley series and one of Highsmith's last works. As in previous installments, there is a stark contrast between Ripley's thoughts and actions; despite his anger and fear, he operates with cold efficiency. Highsmith delves into the protagonist's psyche, revealing his memories and fears as Pritchard digs into his past, forcing Tom to take drastic measures for self-defense.