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Ripley#2 – American Literature – published 1970

Tom Ripley, having escaped the Italian and American authorities in the first book, The Talented Mr. Ripley, is now 31, settled down and married to a wealthy French woman seems as amoral as he is. He is living an idle a life as ever in the suburbs of Paris.

Intrigue is introduced when he receives a call regarding Derwatt Ltd, an art collection company Tom has set up. The company is under threat, just at the time when its latest retrospective of new Derwatt canvasses is about to open at a gallery in London. An American collector, Thomas Murchison, who has purchased a Derwatt previously is supposed be present, challenging the genuineness of his canvass.
Derwatt was a promising young artist who committed suicide by walking into the sea in Greece a couple of years before. Tom has member of his entourage producing Derwatt paintings along with the rumour that the suicide was faked.

Aspects of the plot may require a degree of disbelief suspended on behalf of the reader, but it’s worth it to continue to hear of Tom’s dastardly exploits as he continues to surprise and appall in just how egocentric and self-indulgent he can be.

It is with great anticipation that we await a second Andrew Scott performance as Ripley under the wonderful directorship of Steve Zaillian. Highsmith, I am sure, would have approved in this adaptation.

My GoodReads score 4 / 5