Deep Water

By: Patricia Highsmith

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

The great revival of interest in Patricia Highsmith continues with this work that reveals the chilling reality behind the idyllic facade of American suburban life.

In Deep Water, set in the small town of Little Wesley, Vic and Melinda Meller's loveless marriage is held together only by a precarious arrangement whereby in order to avoid the messiness of divorce, Melinda is allowed to take any number of lovers as long as she does not desert her family. Eventually, Vic tries to win her back by asserting himself through a tall tale of murder - one that soon comes true.

©1985 Patricia Highsmith (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Highsmith is crime fiction's most lethal existentialist.... [She] simultaneously makes the subconscious smile and the skin crawl." (Ed Siegel, Boston Globe)

"So good and utterly addictive." (Megan Abbott, author of You Will Know Me)

Good but drawn out

This was good Highsmith mystery and became more intriguing as it went along. Seemed bogged down with unnecessary detail. Seems all anyone does in Highsmith novels is drink cocktails. It was a different era, but still -- seemed like every other page was cocktail hour or nightcap hour or hangover morning. Interesting character study for certain. I squirmed at the close examination of the snails. That really revealed his character. Narration was good except that he made the child sound like a real brat and I don't think she was supposed to be.

engrossing psychological study

Patricia highsmith never disappoints, and this novel is no exception. Fascinating portrayal of a loveless marriage like no other.

One of Her Best

Would you consider the audio edition of Deep Water to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print edition. But Patricia Highsmith's books are always good, and this is a fine production of this one.

A very solid Highsmith.

This is a great slow burn story. It has all the character depth you would expect with a Highsmith.

Another can't miss from Patricia Highsmith

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

while the story is from 1957, it still seems contemporary.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Deep Water?

The different levels of deceit by the characters was fascinating.

Classic Highsmith

Subtly haunting and quietly horrifying story full of subtle dark humor. Like all of Highsmith's best works, the psychological horror is understated almost (almost!) to a fault, leading to the constant feeling of being taken off guard by the full extent of what the author wishes to communicate. The reader is drawn to sympathy for the "protagonist" as he descends into a sort of coldly rational madness, making one wonder about the depths of their own repressed rage. And there is a definite Dostoevskian bent to the narrative, quietly but forcefully posing the question of confirmity vs. extraordinariness and the limits of both. Don't miss this one.

Too Long and Not Compeeling

This book will put you to sleep - at least it worked for me for several nights.

Off the deep end

Patricia Highsmith at her peak. The book after the first Ripley book when Highsmith was at the height of her game and the writing never failing to enthrall her audience. Flatly but accurately describing each and every situation Highsmith is the undisputed queen of psychological thrillers.

Frustrating

The first quarter of this book is great. Good suspense and interesting storyline. However, towards the middle it becomes mundane and drowned in filler details. Then when something happens again, it’s over. I won’t give spoilers but the end is frustrating and kind of a letdown.

An older book, but still decent.

Vic and Melinda are not-so-happily married, with their young child and living in Massachusetts. In an attempt to make herself happier, Melinda often has affairs with other men, not keeping anything hidden from Vic. When one of Melinda's lovers is at their house for a party and he mysteriously drowns, Melinda blames Vic. This incident, combined with rumors floating around town, cause Melinda to question what exactly Vic is capable of.

By reading this book, you could tell it was written 50+ years ago. There are references in it like CPR wasn't called CPR or people calling other peoples houses to see if they knew where someone else was. This book didn't really hold my interest until the drowning, which happens a good way through. After that it was hard to put down. The events near the end of the book had me glued to the pages to see what would happen next.

This book isn't something I would normally read, or recommend to a friend. There is a movie adaptation of this on Hulu, which I preferred to the book.