55 pages 1 hour read

Patricia Highsmith

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1955

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Chapters 16-20Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 16 Summary

At eight o’clock that night, Tom carries Freddie downstairs and across the street to his car. He has put a hat on Freddie and is pretending that he is helping a drunk friend to his car. Passersby notice them, but only one man approaches to ask if he can help. Tom, having gotten Freddie partway into the vehicle, acts as if he is just drunk but still able to drive. After the man leaves, Tom settles Freddie’s body in the passenger seat and drives to the edge of Rome to find a remote spot to leave the body. He cleans his fingerprints from the car and then leaves it on a random street. He throws Freddie’s wallet in the sewer, after taking the money out. Walking home, he wonders who gave Freddie his address, since he hasn’t told anyone where he lives.

Chapter 17 Summary

The next morning, there is nothing in the newspapers about Freddie’s body, so Tom prepares for his trip to Majorca. The police call and say they would like to ask him some questions. Freddie’s body has now been found, and they already know that Freddie was last seen with ”Dickie.” While he is waiting for the police to come, Fausto calls and asks “Dickie” to lunch.