Ripley Under Ground

An American art collector believes he has purchased a fake masterpiece, and Tom Ripley must hide his role in the fraud and keep his colleague's mouth shut. The second in Highsmith's Ripley series is set six years after the events of "The Talented Mr. Ripley".

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 15 April 2021
\n Publisher: Vintage Publishing
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An American art collector is alleging that the costly masterpiece he acquired is a forgery. He wishes to meet with the artist, but Tom Ripley is aware that the artist is no longer alive. Ripley must conceal his involvement in the fraud and keep his colleague's mouth shut. But not everyone has the same level of nerve as Ripley, particularly when it comes to murder. Ripley Under Ground, the second installment in Patricia Highsmith's Ripley series, takes place six years after the events of The Talented Mr. Ripley.

The collector, who remains unnamed, has hired a private investigator to examine the painting and confirm its authenticity. However, the investigator discovers that the painting is a forgery, created by a skilled artist who has mimicked the style of the original masterpiece. The collector is devastated and demands that Ripley take responsibility for the fraud. Ripley, however, is not willing to risk his own life by admitting to the crime. He knows that the artist is no longer alive, and there is no evidence to implicate him.

Ripley decides to hide his role in the fraud and keep his colleague's mouth shut. He contacts the artist's former assistant, who is now living in Europe, and offers to buy the painting from her. The assistant is hesitant at first, but Ripley persuades her to sell the painting to him for a large sum of money. Ripley then pays her in cash and destroys the painting, ensuring that there is no trace of it.

However, Ripley's plan is not without its risks. He knows that the assistant will be suspicious of his motives and may try to report him to the authorities. Ripley also fears that the collector will come after him, seeking revenge for his deceit. To protect himself, Ripley hires a hitman to kill the assistant. The hitman successfully completes the job, and Ripley believes that he is now safe from any consequences.

However, Ripley's troubles are not over yet. The collector is determined to find the truth and will not rest until he has uncovered the truth about the painting. He hires a team of investigators to track down Ripley and bring him to justice. The investigators are skilled and relentless, and they soon begin to close in on Ripley.

Ripley is forced to go on the run, hiding in different cities and countries, trying to avoid detection. He is constantly looking over his shoulder, fearing that he will be caught and punished for his crimes.

The story of Ripley Under Ground is a thrilling and suspenseful tale of deception, murder, and revenge. Patricia Highsmith's writing is masterful, and her characters are complex and compelling. The story is filled with twists and turns, and the reader is never sure what will happen next.

In conclusion, Ripley Under Ground is a masterpiece of detective fiction, a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Patricia Highsmith's writing is unparalleled, and her characters are unforgettable. This is a must-read for anyone who loves crime fiction and suspenseful stories.

\n Weight: 228g\n
Dimension: 128 x 195 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781784876791\n \n