Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Ripley Under Ground. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Tom Ripley murders the art collector Thomas Murchison, who was about to expose the Derwatt forgery scheme, and later the guilt-ridden forger Bernard Tufts falls to his death. Tom burns Bernard's body and passes off the ashes as those of the long-dead painter Derwatt, closing the case and keeping his comfortable life in France.
Quick facts
– Book: Ripley Under Ground by Patricia Highsmith
– First published: 1970
– Type: A psychological crime novel
– Tone of the ending: Dark and ironic
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Six years after The Talented Mr. Ripley, Tom lives in a French villa with his wealthy wife Héloïse. He profits from a scheme in which Bernard paints fake works by Derwatt, a dead artist whose friends pretend he is alive in Mexico. Murchison, an American collector, suspects a fake. Tom disguises himself as Derwatt at a London gallery to reassure buyers.
What Happens at the End of Ripley Under Ground
Murchison visits Tom's home to discuss the paintings, and Tom kills him in the wine cellar and hides the body in a river. The police investigate Murchison's disappearance, and Tom lies smoothly. Bernard, disgusted with himself, attacks Tom and buries him alive, but Tom digs himself out. Bernard throws himself off a cliff in Salzburg. Tom burns Bernard's body and claims the remains are Derwatt's, convincing the police that the painter has died. The scheme survives, and Tom returns to his villa.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Tom kills Murchison.
- Bernard's guilt destroys him.
- Tom fakes Derwatt's death.
- Tom escapes suspicion again.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Tom Ripley | Escapes, comfortable and unpunished |
| Bernard Tufts | Dies by suicide |
| Thomas Murchison | Murdered by Tom |
| Héloïse Ripley | Unaware or uninterested |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows Ripley's chilling ability to survive anything.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers debate whether Tom feels any guilt. Highsmith keeps him charming and unpunished.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Deception. Fake art and fake lives.
Guilt. Bernard's guilt versus Tom's lack of it.
Identity. Tom plays Derwatt.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Ripley Under Ground as dark and ironic. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Patricia Highsmith to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are dark and ironic will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Patricia Highsmith closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2005 film Ripley Under Ground loosely adapts the novel.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Ripley Under Ground with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about deception, and do you agree with Patricia Highsmith's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as dark and ironic, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces deception and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Patricia Highsmith leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Ripley Under Ground often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Ripley Under Ground earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Ripley Under Ground on Amazon
Books to Read After Ripley Under Ground
- The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
- Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Ripley Under Ground?
Tom Ripley murders the art collector Thomas Murchison, who was about to expose the Derwatt forgery scheme, and later the guilt-ridden forger Bernard Tufts falls to his death. Tom burns Bernard's body and passes off the ashes as those of the long-dead painter Derwatt, closing the case and keeping his comfortable life in France.
Is the ending of Ripley Under Ground happy or sad?
Most readers call it dark and ironic.
What does the ending of Ripley Under Ground mean?
The ending shows Ripley's chilling ability to survive anything.
Is the ending of Ripley Under Ground the same in the adaptation?
The 2005 film Ripley Under Ground loosely adapts the novel.
Who wrote Ripley Under Ground and when was it published?
Ripley Under Ground was written by Patricia Highsmith and first published in 1970.
Is Ripley Under Ground worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy psychological crime novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Patricia Highsmith prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Ripley Under Ground before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.