Definitely 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'. It has been widely read and adapted into a movie. Its popularity lies in the complex character of Ripley and the thrilling plot.
Ripley is typically not a true story. It might incorporate elements that seem realistic or draw inspiration from real situations, but it's mainly a product of the author's imagination to tell an engaging tale.
I'm not certain about the popularity of Scarlett Ripley novels as I haven't come across much information regarding them. It could be that they are popular within a niche group of readers.
Well, Ripley could be from various contexts. Maybe it's a character in a novel or a movie. Different works present different stories. Sometimes it's about survival, sometimes it's a quest for something. The background can vary a lot.