Dear Laura by Gemma Amor is a gripping tale that follows Laura, a woman haunted by the unsolved murder of her high school sweetheart, Bobby. As Laura receives mysterious letters each year from a stranger claiming to know Bobby's whereabouts, the story delves deep into themes of grief, guilt, and psychological trauma. The narrative weaves between Laura's teenage years and her present life, building a suspenseful and emotionally charged plot that keeps readers on edge until the shocking conclusion. Amor's writing style expertly balances description and storytelling, creating a dark and atmospheric atmosphere that immerses readers in Laura's harrowing journey.

Characters:

Characters are intricately developed, with Laura embodying trauma and X representing a manipulative darkness, intensifying reader emotions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is a masterful blend of lyrical and direct prose, effectively capturing tension and emotional depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around Laura's quest to understand the abduction of her friend Bobby, characterized by unsettling letters from his captor.

Setting:

The setting oscillates between past and present, establishing a haunting atmosphere conducive to the unfolding tragedy.

Pacing:

Pacing is brisk and purposeful, enhancing suspense while effectively conveying the story's emotional weight.

Notes:

The book is titled 'Dear Laura' and is by Gemma Amor.

It is a short novella with approximately 118 pages.

The story revolves around Laura, who receives letters from the kidnapper of her childhood friend Bobby.

Each letter comes on Laura's birthday, requesting personal items in exchange for clues about Bobby's whereabouts.

The character X, the kidnapper, is unsettling and deeply layered, creating a strong emotional response from readers.

The narrative includes both present-day events and flashbacks to Laura's teenage years.

Many readers noted the psychological tension and emotional depth without excessive violence.

The book explores themes of grief, trauma, and guilt, with Laura as the protagonist struggling with her past.

Some readers found the climax understated compared to other narratives, reflecting real-life unfairness.

The writing style is praised for being compelling and taut, with effective pacing and emotional weight.

The antagonist, X, is perceived as a well-crafted character that elicits strong hatred from readers.

The novella was nominated for a Stoker award, indicating its recognition in the horror genre.

Readers experienced a range of emotions, from anger to sadness, throughout the story.

Amor's storytelling is noted for its balance between showing and telling, enhancing reader engagement.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Dear Laura include abduction, psychological trauma, stalking, childhood exploitation, violence, and themes of grief.

From The Publisher:

Every year, on her birthday, Laura gets a letter from a stranger. That stranger claims to know the whereabouts of her missing friend Bobby, but there's a catch: he'll only tell her what he knows in exchange for something...personal.So begins Laura's sordid relationship with her new penpal, built on a foundation of quid pro quo. Her quest for closure will push her to bizarre acts of humiliation and harm, yet no matter how hard she tries, she cannot escape her correspondent's demands. The letters keep coming, and as time passes, they have a profound effect on Laura.From the author of Cruel Works of Nature comes a dark and twisted tale about obsession, guilt, and how far a person will go to put her ghosts to bed.

Ratings (4)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (10):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

Loved It

2 months

This was more disturbing and intense then I tought it would be. For a long time I had a false idea of what the book was about but when I finally decided to look at it and read it, it was a 5 star read. It was short but made a huge impact and I was uncomfortable a lot reading it.

What can you read after
Dear Laura?

See the list (89 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Dear Laura

Gemma Amor