This second Ripley novel sees our 'hero' Tom Ripley settled in France with his wife, Heloise, about 6 years after the Dickie Greenleaf affair in Italy described in The Talented Mr Ripley.

Complicit in a fraud to fake the paintings of the in-fact dead Derwatt, Ripley must take action when the police begin to suspect that the 'new' Derwatts (supposedly painted by the artist while living in seclusion in Mexico) are faked. Donning a fake beard, Ripley makes an appearance as Derwatt at the Buckmaster Gallery in London attracting the attention of a certain American Derwatt collector, Murchison.

I'm so glad that John Malcovich is now in my mind as Ripley, as I never thought Matt Damon was right in the character. Not sure why - just my feeling! I had JM in my mind whilst reading, rather than MD and I'm sure I enjoyed the book more as a consequence...

RELEASE NOTES:

Taking along to the meet-up in Daventry today. Will offer to ekranda first, as she requested my copy of 'The Talented Mr Ripley' a while back.

Thank you very much for this book Becky - i very much look forward to reading it! I had a lovely time at the Daventry meet today and look forward to the next one!!!

Found this book finally - after the move that was ages ago...I've managed to read The Talented Mr Ripley and Ripley's Game (which is no. 3 in the collection) so thought I should read book 2 before I start book 4!!! Looks like it's about time too as I've had this one for years!

I liked this book, I preferred the talented Mr Ripley though. Interesting thought processes by Ripley....he does like to put himself into the thick of things rather than legging it and watching from a distance. Interesting to see him as a married man also...even if he doesn't seem to spend much time with her! I'm intrigued and want to move on to the next Ripley novel now :0)

On its way to someone wishing for this book! :0)

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A much appreciated RABCK from my wishlist ...thank you so much! I look forward to reading it

I enjoyed the first book so much that I was keen to read the next, but I have to admit I struggled with this one. It just didn't retain my attention. I enjoyed the ruse, the disguise and the interesting development of his marriage, but I think i was spoiled too much with the first movie to appreciate this book, so off to another reader!

Wish granted ��happy reading!

Book arrived safely I look forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing.

Anyone who has read the first book will not be surprised to hear that there is a death in this book also so I'm not giving too much away by saying so. In fact there are two. There is a certain black comedy to the first death or perhaps more accurately as to how Tom goes about disposing with the body that is in stark contrast with what he does with the second one. In contrast with the first victim the second body Tom actually wants to be found but how he deals with it is pretty gruesome.

One of the pleasures of these books is to see what lengths Tom will go to to outwit the law. Also the author wants to illuminate the perceived dark deaths that lurk beneath the thin surface of civilization. However, unlike in the first book I really struggled to see any redeeming sides to Tom's character finding him shallow and self-obsessed. He is certainly no highly educated and engaging Hannibal Lector . This in turn meant that whilst I found this an OK swift read it was nothing more than that.

Heading off to Kent as a BookMooch. Enjoy!