Picture an American storyteller who swapped the glitz of publishing for the thrill of murder mysteries—meet Laura Van Wormer! Born in 1955, this witty wordsmith has been spinning tales since her debut novel, Riverside Drive, hit shelves in 1988. With a knack for blending insider media scoop with heart-pounding suspense, Laura’s books whisk readers from Manhattan’s high-rises to Connecticut’s cozy corners.
Best known for her Sally Harrington series, Laura Van Wormer crafts stories that feel like a juicy gossip sesh with your cleverest friend. Her unique lens—honed by years in the publishing trenches—makes her a standout in romantic suspense and women’s fiction. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s go!
The Making of Laura Van Wormer
Laura Van Wormer kicked off life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before her family whisked her to Darien, Connecticut, at just ten months old. A Syracuse University grad from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, she didn’t just dream of stories—she lived them. Climbing the ranks at Doubleday, Laura rubbed elbows with media giants, even penning books for TV hits like Dallas and Knots Landing to fund her novel-writing dreams.
It took four years of grit, side hustles—like crafting Dallas board games and jigsaw puzzle copy—and a big fat pencil from her storytelling mom to birth Riverside Drive. That leap from editor to author? Pure Laura: bold, brainy, and a little bit wild.
Laura Van Wormer’s Unforgettable Stories
Laura’s bibliography is a treasure trove of glamour and grit. Riverside Drive (1988) kicks things off with a New York tale of love, secrets, and a cleaning lady tying five households together—think Sex and the City meets Desperate Housewives. Then there’s the Sally Harrington series, starting with Exposé (1999), where a plucky Connecticut journalist juggles dead bodies, hot editors, and tabloid scoops. It’s fast, funny, and oh-so-addictive.
West End (1989), aka Alexandra Waring, dives into TV news with a bisexual anchorwoman navigating romance and corporate chaos—Harper’s Bazaar called her ‘too good to be true.’ The Last Lover (2000) keeps Sally’s saga rolling, mixing romance with mobsters and mayhem. Laura’s style? Sharp dialogue, insider vibes, and plots that twist like a rollercoaster—perfect for fans of smart, sassy suspense.
Her standalone works, like Benedict Canyon (1992), weave Hollywood glitz with personal reckonings, while Riverside Park (2009) revisits her debut’s urban family vibes. Laura’s knack for flawed, fabulous characters and her publishing-world polish make every page pop.
Why Laura Van Wormer Matters
Laura Van Wormer isn’t just an author—she’s a vibe. Her books bridge the glossy allure of media with the messy truth of human hearts, influencing romantic suspense and women’s fiction with a fresh, insider edge. Readers adore her for Sally’s spunk and Alexandra’s depth, while her publishing chops lend authenticity that’s hard to fake.
Splitting time between Manhattan and Meriden, Connecticut, Laura’s dual life mirrors her stories—big-city buzz meets small-town soul. Her legacy? Proving that a woman with a pencil and a dream can carve out a niche that’s still buzzing decades later.
- Born: November 11, 1955, Pittsburgh, PA
- Key Works: Riverside Drive, Exposé, West End
- Fun Fact: She once wrote Dallas ad copy to pay the bills!
Snag Exposé and dive into Laura Van Wormer’s thrilling, witty world—your next obsession awaits!