Mystery Review: Laura is a well constructed murder mystery that has layers of cleverness, but everything rests on the characterization. Vera Caspary (1899-87) takes us inside the minds of the main characters and gives us vivid pictures of the others. The police detective is enough of a tough guy to serve as our hard-boiled detective, making this into a sort of noir. A 14-month stay in the hospital after being shot by a hood, however, has turned him into a reader and an autodidact. Our intrepid detective first describes the murdered woman as a "two-timing dame." But as he learns more about her he begins to be infatuated with the image of the dead woman, who soon becomes "not the sort of woman you call a dame." Caspary uses the waspish tongue of Waldo Lydecker, the newspaper crime columnist, as a source of both humor and spice for the book. He describes murder mysteries as "a barbaric need for violence and revenge in that timid horde known as the reading public." Lydecker was Laura's mentor and best friend. The murdered woman, Laura, is a successful advertising director. A career woman or a working girl as they may have been called then: "She had a man's job and a man's worries. Knitting wasn't one of her talents." Caspary paints a detailed portrait of the "modern" woman, strong, independent, and wanting an equal in her life. It's an important distinction that explains her character and relationships and lets Caspary share her opinions on working women in society at the time. An insecure, pretty boy gigolo, an acerbic aunt, and a too-loyal housekeeper, among others, fill out the well-rounded cast. Some significant foreshadowing that later becomes less subtly a clue is thrown in for good measure. Of minor interest was this character descriptions: "You could tell he was proud of displaying technical knowledge, like when he could explain to people about the rules of fencing or backgammon." Mansplaining anyone? Laura is a first class crime novel, with a little bit of everything for anyone. A must-read for any fan of the genre. Also a classic 1944 black and white film starring Gene Tierney. Although there are minor differences, either the film or the book will spoil the other for you. [4½★]
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