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Patricia Highsmith

2 series 19 books in order 13 standalone books

Patricia Highsmith (1921–1995) was an American novelist and short story writer known for her psychological thrillers. She is best recognized for her series of five novels featuring the character Tom Ripley. Highsmith wrote 22 novels and numerous short stories over a career spanning nearly five decades. Her work has been adapted into more than two dozen films. She was influenced by existentialist literature and explored themes of identity and morality. Her first novel, Strangers on a Train, was adapted for stage and screen, including an Alfred Hitchcock film in 1951. Her 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley was also adapted for film. Writing under the pseudonym Claire Morgan, she published The Price of Salt in 1952, the first lesbian novel with a happy ending. It was republished as Carol under her own name and adapted into a 2015 film.

Born
1921
Known for
Tom Ripley series, Rainbow Magic

Series by Patricia Highsmith

Tom Ripley series

5 books in order · 1955–1991

  1. Cover of The Talented Mr. Ripley

    The Talented Mr. Ripley

    1955 · Patricia Highsmith

    The 1955 novel by Patricia Highsmith is the first in the acclaimed Ripley series. It follows Tom Ripley, who is hired by a wealthy businessman to go…

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  2. Ripley under ground

    1970 · Patricia Highsmith

    Ripley Under Ground is a psychological thriller written by Patricia Highsmith, published in June 1970. It is the second book in her Ripliad series,…

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  3. Cover of Ripley's Game

    Ripley's Game

    1974 · Patricia Highsmith

    Tom Ripley, now in his middle age, lives on a French estate with his wealthy wife. He has built a life of comfort through a long history of criminal…

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  4. Cover of The boy who followed Ripley

    The boy who followed Ripley

    1980 · Patricia Highsmith

    When a troubled young runaway arrives at Tom Ripley's French estate, he is drawn into a world of crime and deception. Frank Pierson, the son of a…

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  5. Cover of Ripley Under Water

    Ripley Under Water

    1991 · Patricia Highsmith

    Tom Ripley lives a peaceful life at his French country estate, where he tends to his dahlias, plays the harpsichord, and spends time with his wife,…

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Rainbow Magic

51 books in order · 2003–2020 · Publication order

  1. Cover of Ruby the Red Fairy

    Ruby the Red Fairy

    2003 · Daisy Meadows

    Best friends Rachel and Kirsty meet on a ferry to Rainspell Island and quickly stumble into a magical secret: the seven Rainbow Fairies have been…

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  2. Cover of Amber The Orange Fairy

    Amber The Orange Fairy

    2003 · Daisy Meadows

    Still vacationing on Rainspell Island, Rachel and Kirsty continue their quest to rescue the missing Rainbow Fairies. This time they search for Amber,…

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  3. Cover of Saffron the Yellow Fairy

    Saffron the Yellow Fairy

    2003 · Daisy Meadows

    Rachel and Kirsty press on with their mission to reunite the Rainbow Fairies and restore color to Fairyland. Their search leads them to Saffron, the…

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  4. Cover of Fern the Green Fairy

    Fern the Green Fairy

    2003 · Daisy Meadows

    The hunt for the lost Rainbow Fairies takes Rachel and Kirsty deeper into the magic of Rainspell Island as they seek Fern, the Green Fairy. With Jack…

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  5. Cover of Sky the Blue Fairy

    Sky the Blue Fairy

    2003 · Daisy Meadows

    Rachel and Kirsty keep working to gather the scattered Rainbow Fairies, this time tracking down Sky, the Blue Fairy. As always, Jack Frost's goblins…

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  6. Cover of Izzy the Indigo Fairy

    Izzy the Indigo Fairy

    2003 · Daisy Meadows

    With most of the Rainbow Fairies found, Rachel and Kirsty search Rainspell Island for Izzy, the Indigo Fairy. Time is running short and Jack Frost's…

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  7. Cover of Heather the Violet Fairy

    Heather the Violet Fairy

    2003 · Daisy Meadows

    In the finale of the original quest, Rachel and Kirsty hunt for Heather, the Violet Fairy, the last of the seven Rainbow Fairies still in hiding.…

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  8. Cover of Holly the Christmas Fairy

    Holly the Christmas Fairy

    2004 · Daisy Meadows

    When Jack Frost steals the magic that keeps Christmas merry, Holly the Christmas Fairy needs Rachel and Kirsty's help to set things right. The girls…

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  9. Cover of Trixie the Halloween Fairy

    Trixie the Halloween Fairy

    2009 · Daisy Meadows

    Trixie the Halloween Fairy looks after the magic that makes Halloween fun and full of treats, but Jack Frost's meddling threatens to spoil the…

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  10. Cover of The fairies' birthday surprise
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Show all 51 Rainbow Magic books in order →

Standalone books

  1. Cover of Small g
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  2. Cover of Strangers On a Train
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  3. Cover of The Cry of the Owl
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  4. Cover of Tales of natural and unnatural catastrophes
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  5. Cover of Black House, the
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  6. Cover of Slowly, slowly in the wind
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  7. Cover of The Tremor of Forgery
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  8. Cover of A Suspension of Mercy (Random Acts of Kindness)
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  9. Cover of The two faces of January
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  10. Cover of This sweet sickness
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  11. Cover of A Game for the Living
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  12. Cover of The Price of Salt
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  13. Cover of Deep Water

    Deep Water

    Year unknown

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Frequently asked questions

How many books has Patricia Highsmith written?

We list 19 books by Patricia Highsmith across 2 series, published between 1952–2020 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Patricia Highsmith's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Patricia Highsmith's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.