In the doorway of an elegant New York apartment, blood seeps over silk negligee, over polished wood floors and plush carpet: a beautiful young woman lies dead, her face disfigured by a single gun shot. But who was Laura? What power did she hold over the very different men in her life? How does her portrait bewitch even Mark McPherson, the hard-bitten detective assigned to find her murderer? One stormy night, Mark's investigation takes an unexpected turn...
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In the doorway of an elegant New York apartment, blood seeps over silk negligee, over polished wood floors and plush carpet: a beautiful young woman lies dead, her face disfigured by a single gun shot. But who was Laura? What power did she hold over the very different men in her life? How does her portrait bewitch even Mark McPherson, the hard-bitten detective assigned to find her murderer? One stormy night, Mark's investigation takes an unexpected turn...
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Add this copy of Laura to cart. $3.34, good condition, Sold by Anybook rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lincoln, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2012 by Vintage Classics.
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This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has soft covers. In good all round condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 200grams, ISBN: 9780099572787.
Add this copy of Laura (Master Crime) to cart. $5.08, very good condition, Sold by Zardoz Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Westbury, WILTS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1987 by Everyman Ltd.
Add this copy of Laura (Vintage Classics) to cart. $5.16, very good condition, Sold by Goldstone Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ammanford, CARMS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2012 by Vintage Classics.
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Very good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Add this copy of Laura to cart. $6.37, very good condition, Sold by Zardoz Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Westbury, WILTS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1949 by Pan Books.
Add this copy of Laura to cart. $8.18, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2012 by Vintage Classics.
Add this copy of Laura (Master Crime) to cart. $8.43, good condition, Sold by More Than Words rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham, MA, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Everyman Ltd.
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Good. . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Add this copy of Laura to cart. $9.39, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2012 by Vintage Classics.
Add this copy of Laura to cart. $9.92, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2012 by Vintage Classics.
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New. B-format paperback. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Laura to cart. $9.92, like new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2012 by Vintage Classics.
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Fine. B-format paperback. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Laura (Master Crime) to cart. $10.97, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Everyman Ltd.
The Library of America has released a two-volume box set, "Women Crime Writers" which includes eight suspense novels written by women, with four books from the 1940's and four books from the 1950's. The collection opens with Vera Caspary's "Laura" published in 1942-1943. Otto Preminger's eponymous 1945 film has become famous and has overshadowed the book. But Caspary's novel is worth reading in its own right. Sarah Weinman, the editor of the LOA volumes, made an inspired choice by opening the collection with "Laura".
"Laura" is a complex multi-dimensional novel set in New York City in the early 1940s. Pigeonholing literature can be deceiving, and it would be a mistake to consider "Laura" a noir novel. It is more akin to a suspense, detective story and features a detective as a primary character. It is also a romance and a story of a woman making her way in the world.
The book revolves around the apparent murder of Laura Hunt, a single woman of 29 who has achieved success working for an advertising agency in New York City. The story is tightly-knit and includes four primary characters, Laura herself, Waldo Lydecker, 52, a pudgy collector of antiques and a renowned columnist, Shelby Carpenter, 32, Laura's fiancé, and Mark McPherson, the young detective assigned to solve Laura's murder. McPherson must solve the murder from a small group of suspects. In the process, he becomes emotionally attracted to the woman whose death he is called upon to resolve.
The book shows depth in its handling of character, particularly of the ambitious and emotionally vulnerable Laura and of the taciturn, self-educated, and deeply romantic detective. Laura, an independent career woman before this became a norm, is sociable and also looking for love. She has been the friend of the pudgy, eccentric Lydecker for many years who has harbored romantic designs on her. Carpenter is Laura's junior at the advertising agency and he has a strong tendency to wander to other women.
The story builds slowly with many twists and turns. Lydecker, McPherson, and Laura each tell part of the tale in the first person from their own perspectives. Caspary has an excellent ear for voice and character, with each section of the story revealing a great deal about the teller as well as moving along the plot. The book offers glimpses of 1940's New York City, primarily in upper-class neighborhoods, businesses, and restaurants but with scenes of hardscrabble life in the poorer sections as well.
The LOA volume offers background on the book and its author. "Laura" was first published in serialized form in 1942 before the publication of the book in 1943. It was dramatized and produced on stage before Hollywood bought the movie rights leading to Preminger's film. The book has been in and out of print over the years, while the movie has become a classic. Caspary (1899 -- 1987) led a long eventful life and first became a writer while holding a series of commercial jobs. She wrote several novels before and after "Laura" together with an autobiography. Caspary became a member of the communist party in the 1930s, travelled to Russia, and attempted to resign from the party. Her radicalism and association with communism lead to difficulty in the l1940s and 1950s. There is an element of social criticism in "Laura", but in its writing and understanding of loneliness and the human condition, the book readily transcends ideology. As often happens in literature, the author in "Laura" is wiser than her creed.
"Laura" is a classic American suspense novel worthy of its new place in the Library of America. The LOA kindly sent me a review copy of its new anthology of "Women Crime Writers".
Robin Friedman
mrmoto2
Aug 13, 2009
I saw the movie, loved it . Read the book loved it,but not as much as the movie. Its a good read.
Betsywestie
Feb 22, 2008
Laura
I enjoyed this book. However, this is one of the few times that I think the movie was better than the book. The book has the feel of a typical mystery novel. The movie had a very haunting quality to it . Beautiful,ethereal Gene Tierney was perfectly cast as Laura and of course, there is the wonderful classic theme music. That said, the book is still worth the read.
Sammy
Aug 9, 2007
Classic Mystery
Although this book has very little blood and gore as do the more modern mysteries, it is a classic story on which an equally classic movie was based. Well worth the read .
