Tom Ripley meets an American teenager named Billy who is working as a gardener in a
Paris exurb. After spending some time together, he deduces that Billy is actually Frank Pierson, the missing son of a recently deceased American
tycoon. After some men inquire about Frank at the house where he is living, Tom takes him home under the pretense that he will do some gardening. Frank soon confesses that he pushed his father's wheelchair over a cliff. He sought Ripley out because of his questionable reputation. Ripley recognizes Frank as a
kindred spirit and tries to help him come to peace with the murder. Frank adores Ripley, calls him "sir" and instantly obeys nearly every order Tom gives. He agrees to return home but wants to stay in Europe a little longer. Tom's underworld connection, Reeves Minot, furnishes a new
passport for Frank, and they travel to
West Berlin. During a walk in the
Grunewald, Frank is
kidnapped. Ripley coordinates the Piersons' $2 million
ransom with the help of a
private detective. Instead of delivering the money, Ripley impulsively kills one of the kidnappers. He sets up another exchange at a
gay bar and attends dressed in
drag. When the kidnappers leave empty-handed, he follows them to their hideout. Still in drag, he scares them away and rescues Frank. Frank stalls for time in Europe with Tom, dreading the return home. Tom agrees to return with him to
Kennebunkport. He continues to urge Frank to justify his father's murder and move on. Frank claims heartbreak over a girl named Teresa and is unable to follow Tom's advice. Tom stops him from jumping to his death off the cliff where Frank killed his father. As Tom prepares to depart for France, Frank returns to the cliff and commits
suicide. Tom is shaken by his death and keeps a stuffed bear that Frank had won in Berlin. ==Major themes==