Finding Laura - Hardcover

Hooper, Kay

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0553099493 ISBN 13: 9780553099492

Publisher: Bantam, 1997

Synopsis

Power and money are no protection from fate--or murder. . . .

Kay Hooper's rich, haunting voice electrified readers in the unforgettable bestseller Amanda and the darkly compelling After Caroline.  Now she delivers a powerful new tale of seductive intrigue, dangerous ambition, and the inexplicable forces that shape our lives. . . .

Over the years, the wealthy, aloof Kilbourne family has suffered a number of suspicious deaths.  There were no witnesses, never charges; only doubt and unresolved questions.  Now the charming, seductive Peter Kilbourne has been found stabbed to death in a seedy motel room.  And for Laura Sutherland, nothing will ever be the same.  Because the struggling artist was one of the last people to see Peter alive--and one of the first to be suspected of his murder.  If only Laura hadn't gone to the Kilbourne estate sale. . . But all her life she's collected mirrors, searching their reflection for something she can't explain, even to herself.  And when she found the tarnished brass hand mirror, she knew it was the one she'd been looking for all these years.  What she didn't know is why.  So when Peter Kilbourne shows up at her door, asking to buy the mirror back, Laura refuses.  

But she never imagines that his visit will irrevocably entangle her in the dangerous intrigues of a powerful dynasty.  Now, determined to clear her name and uncover the truth about the murder--and the mirror--Laura breaches the iron gates of the Kilbourne estate.  As she lets herself be drawn into their household and into their lives, she learns that each Kilbourne, from the enigmatic Daniel to the steely matriarch Amelia to Peter's disfigured widow, Kerry, has something to hide.  And when another member of the family dies an unnatural death, Laura must ask herself: Which one of them looks in the mirror and sees the reflection of a killer?  And which one will choose Laura to be the next to die?

About this title

Review:

Kay Hooper crafts an intriguing tale of mystery, murder, and timeless love in Finding Laura. Laura Sutherland, a commercial artist and self-described loner, allows her best friend Cassidy to coax her into attending an estate auction at the home of the wealthy Kilbourne family. Cassidy plays on Laura's obsession with mirrors, telling her she'll probably find all sorts of them at the auction. To her surprise, Laura does find a mirror to add to her collection--one she has been searching for, without quite realizing it, all her life. She buys the intricate brass hand mirror for just a few dollars and returns home with her prize, which, she later discovers, is nearly 200 years old.

Despite the mirror's age, Laura doubts that it is particularly valuable, so she is surprised to receive a visit from Peter Kilbourne, the suave and flirtatious scion of the Kilbourne family, who offers to buy back the mirror for a ridiculous amount of money. Laura flatly refuses Peter's generous offer. For reasons she can't understand, the mirror means more to her than any amount of money.

Two days later, when the police show up at her door, Laura learns that Peter Kilbourne has been murdered and that she was one of the last people to see him alive. More incriminating, though, is the fact that Peter Kilbourne was seen at a motel with a woman matching Laura's description, which makes Laura the prime suspect in his murder. A determination to prove her innocence and a growing belief that Peter's death was somehow connected to the mirror he sought leads Laura to the Kilbourne estate.

Laura is drawn into the Kilbournes' world and finds herself immediately attracted to the enigmatic Daniel Kilbourne, a man much different from the suave playboy, Peter. While she researches the family and the tragic deaths that seem to haunt their history, Laura learns more about the mysterious mirror. Eventually, she uncovers a secret that threatens her life and that of the man she has loved across time itself.

This is a well-crafted tale from a talented author. The secondary characters' romantic subplots are quite entertaining and occasionally more interesting than the primary romance, which could have benefited from a more thoroughly fleshed-out hero. But the engaging story line, coupled with an ingenious ending, offsets this modest flaw, making Finding Laura a thoroughly enjoyable read. --Lisa Wanttaja

From the Publisher:

Praise for Kay Hooper:

"Kay Hooper is a master storyteller."
--Tami Hoag

"Kay Hooper is a multitalented author whose stories always pack a tremendous punch."
--Iris Johansen

Praise for After Caroline:

"Harrowing good fun. Readers will shiver and shudder."
--Publishers Weekly

"Another solid story to keep readers enthralled until the last page is turned."
--Booklist

Praise for Amanda:

"Amanda seethes and sizzles. A fast-paced, atmospheric tale that vibrates with tension, passion, and mystery. Readers will devour it."
--Jayne Ann Krentz

"If you enjoyed those spooky tales by authors such as Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart, then you'll love Amanda."
--Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0553099493
• ISBN 13: 9780553099492
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336