5 Best Patricia Highsmith Books

Patricia Highsmith (January 19th 1921-February 4th 1995) was an American novelist and short story writer, best known for her psychological thrillers, and in particular her character ‘Mr Ripley’, featured in a series of five novels.

During her lifetime, Highsmith wrote 22 novels and various short stories, many of them adapted for film. The most notable of these is probably the Hitchcock adaptation of Strangers on a Train from 1951.

While it’s now many years since the author’s death, Patricia Highsmith still has plenty to say, and if you’re new to the author, or have watched an adaptation without realising she wrote the book, then here are the five best Patricia Highsmith books to start your journey with a new author.

The Talented Mr Ripley

It would be impossible to write any blog about Patricia Highsmith and not include this particular book. The dark, fragile and socially inept serial killer appears first here, but continues in four more books, known as the Ripliad.

The Talented Mr Ripley US
The Talented Mr Ripley UK

The Price of Salt

Written under the pseudonym Claire Morgan, Highsmith wrote what is now credited as being the first lesbian story with a happy ending. Much more than that, The Price is Salt is a fantastic novel!

The Price of Salt US
The Price of Salt UK

Strangers on a Train

Thanks to Hitchcock, this is maybe Highsmith’s best known novel and was a stunning debut from the author, as two strangers meet on a train and agree to exchange murders and get away with it.

Strangers on a Train US
Strangers on a Train UK

This Sweet Sickness

This Sweet Sickness is a fascinating novel, the story of a psychopath who takes a double life to a whole new level, creating a double identity and two addresses to match it.

This Sweet Sickness US
This Sweet Sickness UK