Ripley Under Water cover art

Ripley Under Water

A Virago Modern Classic

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Ripley Under Water

By: Patricia Highsmith
Narrated by: Adam Sims
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About this listen

 FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY, CAROL AND STRANGERS ON A TRAIN

Ripley Under Water is a psychological thriller by Patricia Highsmith, the last in her series of five books known as the 'Ripliad'.

'The Ripley books are marvellously, insanely readable' THE TIMES

'What whitens your knuckles as you read is the game Ripley plays, his ploys and dodges' SUNDAY TIMES

'Ripley is back, as polite and lethal as ever' TIME OUT

Tom Ripley is quietly living in luxury at his chateau at Villeperce. Tom Ripley passes his leisured days tending the dahlias, practicing the harpsichord and enjoying the company of his lovely wife, Heloise. Never mind the bloodstains on the basement floor.

He has a past, however, that would not bear too much close scrutiny. He is certain that he has covered his tracks where murder and forgery are concerned. But when a certain American couple move in next door, he soon realises his every move is being shadowed. When menacing coincidences begin to occur, a spiralling contest of sinister hints and mutual terrorism ensues, resulting in one of Patricia Highsmith's most elegantly harrowing novels to date.

Ripley fears his secrets may be discovered and he will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening . . .

'The No.1 Greatest Crime Writer' THE TIMES ©1991 Diogenes Verlag AG (Zurich), Patricia Highsmith (P)1991 Little Brown Book Group Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Crime

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All stars
Most relevant
Listened so many times, highsmith’s writing never fails to capture you, this might be the best in the ripley series

Enthralling plots

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It’s over! A really fantastic finale well worth your time. Perfect narration, great tone and delivery, flawless accents.
Really pure pure plot not too much nonsense. Tom is at his peak Ripley as the world crashes around him. So relieved to have got to the end knowing Patricia did a perfect job. I recommend this Highsmithly.

This is the end!

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The past comes back to haunt Ripley and Patricia Highsmith retrospectively saves the weakest entry in the franchise, by tying things to the events of the second book.
The book starts with a great premise: What if someone suspected Ripley of all his misdeeds and decided to make him squirm?
Unfortunately the opportunity is a little wasted as things don't quite pay off in a satisfyingly or conclusive way.
Still, judging the series as a whole: I loved my time with Ripley.

Not as conclusive as I might have liked.

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yeah another interesting tale from highsmith, it's hard not to side with a murderer when it's put into this brilliant pattern of writing

classic ripley

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Good characters (Pritchard was a fascinating villain initially), good scene setting but my god what a stupid story. Not much happens in a very wordy fashion. Glad the series is over tbh

Another disappointing Ripley story

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