Customer Reviews

Finding Laura

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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!

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.

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!***

Finding Laura is the third book I have read by Kay Hooper. From reading the back, the story did not appear to be as intriging as After Caroline and Amanda, and I was in no hurry to read it. However, my mother accidently revealed a secret from the book, and I decided it might be more interesting than I thought. At any rate, I read it, and found it to be just as good as Ms. Hooper's other books. I suggest it to everyone.

I was very disappointed in reading this latest book of Kay Hooper's. The "mirror" plot gets lost in Laura's subliminal description of the Kilbourne's house, gardens, maze, etc. Her relationship with Daniel was slow in developing without any background depth. Amelia's reference to Laura as "Child" was... At Amelia's age, every character was "Child." This book is the kind that turns me away from an otherwise favorite author and keeps me from buying future books.

I should have known better than to start this book at 8:00 at night, but I couldn't help myself! I absolutely love Kay Hooper, but I had put off buying this book because I had been disappointed in "After Caroline", I just couldn't get into it. "Finding Laura", however, has restored my faith in this talented author! Hooper's characters drew me into the story and kept me there, and the revelation of the murderer was a suprise. Well done Ms. Hooper!

When artist Laura Sutherland buys the antique mirror at the Kilbourne estate sale she has no idea how it's going to change her life. Shortly after Peter Kilbourne tries to to buy it back. For reasons she can't understand, Laura refuses to sell, even though Peter offers her a handsome profit. Later Peter is murdered, Laura is the suspect. She goes to the Kilbourne estate, home of one of Atlanta's wealthiest families, meets and falls in love with Peter's brother David and is drawn into the intrigues of the Kilbourne family. I loved this book five stars worth. I was swept into the timeless intrigue, the timeless romance, the murders, the, whoops, I almost gave away the ending. "Finding Laura" is Kay Hooper at her best. My recommendation, buy this book and prepare for a wonderful, sleepless night.

I was hooked reading Kay Hooper's stories when I first read "Haunting Rachel". "Finding Laura" was by far my favorite! Perhaps because there is the sense of "deja vu" and something almost remembered keeping the plot tantalizing. The romantic scenes were haunting in their ability to add to the puzzle. A MUST read for Kay Hooper fans!

I loved this book and can't believe I missed the hardcover release! I was totally intrigued by the set-up, the couple is sexy and fun, and this book kept me distracted from a very bumpy plane ride! The ultimate praise! Kay Hooper writes old-fashioned Gothics with a completely modern sensibility. Wonderful!

After reading the hype about this novel in Romantic Times, I was sorely disappointed when I finally read it, in spite of an intriguing mystical plot twist.

The hero and heroine did nothing to motivate me to root for them. She was dull and undistiniguished from a hundred other females in a hundred other books, and he was cold, distant, and lacked solidity. He seemed to me to be just a flat character on a flat page.

Their relationship did not seem to develop or intensify.... one day they had sex, then they were in love and moving in together. Where's the intrigue, the slow build-up?

As for the rest of the characters, wow! What a thoroughly unlikeable bunch! Not a single character elicited my sympathy. They were a bunch of spoiled, selfish, malicious, freaks with few redeeming qualities. I pity poor Laura.... why in the name of God would she want to marry into a family like that?