Monroe Theater Presents:
Detective Mark McPherson investigates the murder of young, beautiful, successful advertising executive Laura Hunt, killed by a shotgun blast to the face just inside her apartment doorway.
He first interviews worldly newspaper columnist Waldo Lydecker, an imperious, effete older man who relates how he met Laura and became her mentor.
She became his platonic friend and steady companion; wishing more, he used his considerable fame, influence, and connections, to advance her career.
Mark also questions Laura’s parasitic playboy fiancé, Shelby Carpenter, a “kept man” tethered to Laura’s wealthy socialite aunt, Ann Treadwell.
Ann is in love with Shelby; she tolerates his infatuation with Laura out of practical acceptance of Shelby’s need for the affection of a woman closer to his age.
Bessie Clary, Laura’s loyal and distraught housekeeper, is also questioned by Mark.
Through the testimony of Laura’s friends and reading her letters and diary, Mark becomes obsessed with Laura, so much so that Waldo finally accuses him of falling in love with a dead woman.