''Those Who Walk Away'' (1967) is a

psychological thriller Psychological thriller is a Film genre, genre combining the thriller (genre), thriller and psychological fiction genres. It is commonly used to describe literature or films that deal with psychological narratives in a thriller or thrilling setting ...

novel by

Patricia Highsmith Patricia Highsmith (born Mary Patricia Plangman; January 19, 1921 – February 4, 1995) was an American novelist and short story writer widely known for her psychological thrillers, including her series of five novels featuring the character T ...

. It was the twelfth of her 22 novels.

Synopsis

When Ray Garrett's new wife kills herself on their

honeymoon A honeymoon is a vacation taken by newlyweds after their wedding to celebrate their marriage. Today, honeymoons are often celebrated in destinations considered exotic or romantic. In a similar context, it may also refer to the phase in a couple ...

, he persuades the initially suspicious Rome police that he's innocent of any wrongdoing over the death. However, his

father-in-law A parent-in-law is a person who has a legal affinity (law), affinity with another by being the parent of the other's spouse. Many cultures and legal systems impose duties and responsibilities on persons connected by this relationship. A person i ...

, the brutish Ed Coleman, is convinced Ray led to her death and shoots Ray, leaving him for dead. He survives and, desperate to prove himself, follows Coleman to Venice, the husband and father bound together by love and guilt, with Coleman still seeking justice and Garrett a clear conscience.

Reviews

It has been called Highsmith's "masterpiece".

References

1967 American novels Novels by Patricia Highsmith Novels set in Rome Novels set in Venice Doubleday (publisher) books {{1960s-thriller-novel-stub