Patricia Highsmith Comics. When Highsmith wrote the psychological thriller novel "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1955), one of the title character's first victims is a comic-book artist named Reddington: "Tom had a hunch about Reddington. He was a comic-book artist. He probably didn't know whether he was coming or going." Highsmith's first novel, "Strangers on a Train", proved modestly successful upon publication in 1950, and Alfred Hitchcock's 1951 film adaptation of the novel enhanced her reputation. Highsmith's second novel, "The Price of Salt", was published in 1952 under the "nom de plume" Claire Morgan. Highsmith mined her personal life for the novel's content.
Shelby Highsmith Highsmith was in private practice in Kansas City, Missouri from 1958 to 1959, before relocating to Florida and entering private practice in Miami from 1959 to 1970. Highsmith served as chief legal advisor to the Governor's War on Crime Program, Florida from 1967 to 1968 and special counsel for the Florida Racing Commission from 1969 to 1970. Highsmith was a member of the Law Enforcement Planning Counsel of Florida from 1969 to 1970 and served as a circuit judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit (Dade County) from 1970 to 1975. Highsmith resumed private practice in Miami in 1975. President George