Kate Evans

Thank you.

All right.

This is going to be good, isn't it?

Between the thriller, which is mostly about momentum and pacing.

And I think she is

the most extraordinary writer.

Well, I am not interested in graphic violence.

She's a furious woman.

I think I know.

No, I've got it wrong.

Have you read the books of Patricia Highsmith, Strangers on a Train, The Price of Salt, The Two Faces of January, The Talented Mr Ripley?

Hi, I'm Kate Evans, and this is something of a podcast treat, a prelude to the book club discussion coming up very soon, both on air on Radio National and here on your podcast catcher.

What I've done is I've lined up Patricia Highsmith's latest biographer, Richard Bradford, and put to him questions from you, from readers, listeners and members of the ABC Book Club Facebook group.

Let's hear what he has to say.

Richard Bradford, thank you for joining us to talk about Devil's Lust and Strange Desires, The Life of Patricia Highsmith.

Now, Richard, I have questions from our listeners and members of the ABC's Book Club Facebook group that I'd like to put to you.

And Stephanie Buckle says that she rarely reads crime fiction, but the talented Mr Ripley left her breathless with admiration.

And her question is...

How do you think Highsmith understands so convincingly how the mind of a sociopath works?

Did she research sociopathology or did she have some kind of personal experience?