Finding Laura [Large Print] [Paperback]

Kay Hooper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1998

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?

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com 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 --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

Hooper's Gothic novels (e.g., Amanda, LJ 10/15/95) have sold more than four million copies. Here, a young woman is implicated in the death of the wealthy head of a Southern clan.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Wheeler Publishing (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568955340
• ISBN-13: 978-1568955346
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,883,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

KAY HOOPER is the award-winning author of Sleeping with Fear, Stealing Shadows, and more than ten other novels of suspense and intrigue along with dozens of other books. She lives in North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finding Laurra by Kay Hooper, January 24, 2000

By 

"pahogue" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finding Laura (Mass Market Paperback)

I read Finding Laura and found it to be a very good read. Other reviews have noted that there were to many characters and the plot was too easy. Sometimes, this is the way I like them. Not too fussy, just easy reading. This one surprised me and I found the mystery in it very clever but not overwhelming. There are those of us who don't want to be frightened out of our wits or inundated with such depth of plot that it takes away from the story. I truly enjoyed it!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bit of Iris Johansen meets Psychic Phenomenom, February 13, 2003

By 

T. Bowen (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Finding Laura (Mass Market Paperback)

In "Finding Laura" Kay Hooper has mixed romance, mystery and fantasy for a great read. Our herione, Laura is mysteriously drawn to mirrors of all kinds and to one man, Daniel, for reasons she does not understand, but she can not resist these two things even though they both seem to be drawing her into danger including murder. The chemistry between Daniel and Laura jumps right off the page and grabs you and you will be envious of their passion and love. But will this overcome all the secrets that hide in Daniel's family, including a recently murdered brother and a family that does not appear to be mourning him? In the meantime Laura has moved into Daniel's family home which is ruled by the family matriarc, Amelia, whose husband (Daniel's father) was killed in an "accident" many years ago. Can Daniel be trusted? and why won't he tell Laura what he knows about the mirror that brought the two of them together. I'm not going to tell you because this book is definetly worth the read to find out. Very exciting and very satisfying ending.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Kay Hooper's books are "keepers"!, July 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Finding Laura (Mass Market Paperback)

Laura went to an estate sale with a girlfriend and bought a brass hand mirror with a maze on the back. Hours later, Peter, from the estate, showed up at her door to buy it back. Laura refused. Peter was murdered later that night. Laura was the main suspect.

Laura went to the estate expecting hatred. But no one believed she had killed Peter. His grandmother, Amelia, found out Laura was an artist and arranged for Laura to paint her portriate. All Peter's relatives lived on the estate. The center of everything seemed to revolve around a four acre maze made of living greenery. It was a duplicate of the back of the brass mirror.

Laura met and began to know all the relatives. Amelia ran the house with an iron fist. Daniel ran the business and finances. Kerry was Peter's scarred and timid widow. Anne ran hot one minute and cold the next. Madeline was the mother and was not mentally fit. Joesie was Amelia's personal assistant. Alex was the family lawyer. Landry was the detective investigating Peter's murder.

Every one of them had a motive. Every one of them had an alibi. Who killed Peter? Who would die next?

***I did not know until the last few pages how appropriate this title was. I am usually so good at solving these murder mysteries. This time; however, I found myself accussing everybody! I love the writings of Mary Higgins Clark and Sidney Sheldon. For others who like them, buy this one in hardback! Kay Hooper has written a Keeper!***