Patricia Highsmith

PH , writing from the mid-twentieth century, first in the USA and then in Europe and England, produced short stories and novels, the majority of them variously classifiable as thrillers or suspense fiction, a label which she disliked. Readers, however, have seen her that way. In 1988 most of her books were available in two competing paperback editions, by Heinemann and Penguin . Irony of situation of every kind is her speciality. Among a range of varied and ingenious plots, her favourite theme, as she herself recognised, is a relationship between two men. Her books were translated into many languages and adapted for films by directors in Britain, America, and Europe. European directors who have filmed adaptations of her works include Wim Wenders , René Clément , and Claude Miller .