Ripley's Game
First edition (UK)
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| Author | Patricia Highsmith |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Graham Miller |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Ripliad |
| Genre | crime novel |
| Publisher |
Heinemann (UK) & Random House (USA) |
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Publication date
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11 March 1974 (UK) May 1974 (US) |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 288 pp |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 1057535 |
| 813/.5/4 | |
| LC Class | PZ3.H53985 Rk5 PS3558.I366 |
| Preceded by | Ripley Under Ground |
| Followed by | The Boy Who Followed Ripley |
Ripley's Game (1974) is a psychological thriller by Patricia Highsmith, the third in her series about the con artist and murderer Tom Ripley.
In the third Ripley novel, Tom Ripley is a wealthy man in his early thirties. He lives in Villeperce, France, with his wealthy French wife, Heloise. Ripley spends his days living comfortably in his house, Belle Ombre, until an associate, an American criminal named Reeves Minot, asks him if he can commit a murder for him. Ripley — who "detest[s] murder, unless absolutely necessary" — turns down the offer of $96,000 for the two hits, and Minot goes back to Hamburg, Germany.
The previous month, Ripley had gone to a party in Fontainebleau, where the host, Jonathan Trevanny, a poor British picture framer suffering from myeloid leukemia, insulted him. As revenge, Ripley suggests to Minot that he might try to convince Trevanny to commit the two murders. To ensure that the plan will work, Ripley starts a rumor that Trevanny has only months to live, and suggests that Minot fabricate evidence that Trevanny's leukemia has worsened, though Minot does not. Trevanny, who fears his death will leave his wife and son penniless, accepts Minot's offer of a visit to a medical specialist in Hamburg. While in Hamburg, he is persuaded to commit the murder for money.
After carrying out the contract — a shooting in a crowded U-bahn station — Trevanny insists that he is through as a hired gun. Minot invites Trevanny to Munich, where he visits another doctor. Minot persuades Trevanny to murder a Mafia boss, this time on a train using a garrotte, but he also gives him the far less desirable option of using a gun. At first Trevanny is horrified by the idea, but he eventually gives in and finds himself on the train. He resolves to shoot the mafioso and commit suicide before he can be caught, and he asks Minot to ensure that whatever happens to him the money will go to his wife. Before Trevanny can go through with it, however, Ripley — who had started to feel responsible for getting Trevanny into the situation — shows up and executes the Mafia boss himself. He asks Trevanny not to let Minot know that he has "assisted" with the assassination.
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