Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley introduces Tom Ripley, a charming sociopath who becomes obsessed with the wealthy Dickie Greenleaf and ultimately assumes his identity. Highsmith creates a psychological thriller that challenges readers' sympathies, making us complicit in Ripley's crimes while exploring themes of identity, class, and moral ambiguity. The novel becomes a disturbing meditation on the malleability of self and the seductive power of reinvention.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Highsmith had the audacity to make a murderer sympathetic without ever excusing him. The Talented Mr. Ripley is a masterclass in psychological suspense that asks uncomfortable questions about who we root for and why.

DETAILS: • Author: Patricia Highsmith • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: June 1, 2008 • ISBN: 9780393332148 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days