Patricia Highsmith The Talented Mr Ripley Unabridged Audio Book 7 CDs

Reader: David Menkin

The Talented Mr Ripley is an intricate psychological drama by Patricia Highsmith and a best-selling thriller.

Tom Ripley, a seemingly harmless social misfit is hired by a wealthy shipping magnate to track down his playboy son, Dickie Greenleaf.

Ripley's search takes him to Naples where he insinuates his way into Dickie's highly desirable life by pretending to be an old college classmate. Never one to remember a face, Dickie welcomes Ripley with open arms, introducing him to girlfriend and inviting him to stay with them at their luxury villa.

Ripley looks upon the playboy as an idol, but his infatuation soon rages out of control and he kills Dickie during a boating trip. Initially horrified by his actions, Ripley quickly brings himself to his senses and realises he has the opportunity to assume Dickie's high society identity. The plan works surprisingly well, until the girlfriend reappears asking awkward questions.

Although Ripley is a monster who cannot stop himself from telling one lie after the next, we root for him at every turn despite his heinous crimes. It's an astonishing novel in many ways, invested with so many nuances and layers, culminating in an emotionally wrenching final scene that takes Ripley's deception to its shattering and logical conclusion.