What do you think?
Magic Hour
Hardcover
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
Susan Isaacs
53 books522 followersI was born in a thatched cottage in the Cotswolds. Oh, you want the truth. Fine. I was born in Brooklyn and educated at Queens College. After leaving school, I saw one of those ads: BE A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER! Take our aptitude test. Since I had nothing else in mind, I took the test-and flunked. The guy at the employment agency looked at my resume and mumbled, “You wrote for your college paper? Uh, we have an opening at Seventeen magazine.” That’s how I became a writer.
I liked my job, but I found doing advice to the lovelorn and articles like “How to Write a Letter to a Boy” somewhat short of fulfilling. So, first as a volunteer, then for actual money, I wrote political speeches in my spare time. I did less of that when I met a wonderful guy, Elkan Abramowitz, then a federal prosecutor in the SDNY.
We were married and a little more than a year later, we had Andrew (now a corporate lawyer). Three years later, Elizabeth (now a philosopher and writer) was born. I’d left Seventeen to be home with my kids but continued to to do speeches and the occasional magazine piece. During what free time I had, I read more mysteries than was healthy. Possibly I became deranged, but I thought, I can do this.
And that’s how Compromising Positions, a whodunit with a housewife-detectives set on Long Island came about. Talk about good luck: it was chosen the Main Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club, auctioned for paperback, sold to the movies, translated into thirty languages, and became a bestseller. I was a little overwhelmed by the success. However, it’s hard to rise to a state of perpetual cool and go to slick downtown parties when you’re living in the suburbs with a husband, two kids, two dogs, and a mini-van, I simply wrote another book… and then another and another.
About half my works are mysteries, two fall into the category of espionage, and the rest are…well, regular novels. In the horn-tooting department, nearly all my novels have been New York Times bestsellers.
My kids grew up. My husband became a defense lawyer specializing in white collar matters: I call him my house counsel since I’m always consulting him on criminal procedure, the justice system, and law enforcement jargon. Anyway, after forty-five years of writing all sorts of novels—standalones—I decided to write a mystery series. I conceived Corie Geller with a rich enough background to avoid what I’d always been leery of—that doing a series would mean writing the same book over and over, changing only the settings.
I also produced one work of nonfiction, Brave Dames and Wimpettes: What Women are Really Doing on Page and Screen. I wrote a slew of articles, essays, and op-ed pieces as well. Newsday sent me to write about the 2000 presidential campaign, which was one of the greatest thrills of my life-going to both conventions, riding beside John McCain on the Straight Talk Express, interviewing George W. Bush. I also reviewed books for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Newsday. (My website has far more information about my projects than most people would want to know, but have a look.)
In the mid-1980s, I wrote the screenplay for Paramount’s Compromising Positions which starred Susan Sarandon and Raul Julia. I also wrote and co-produced Touchstone’s Hello Again which starred Shelley Long, Gabriel Byrne, and Judith Ivey. (My fourth novel, Shining Through, set during World War II became the 20th Century Fox movie starring Michael Douglas, Melanie Griffith and Liam Neeson. I would have written the script, except I wasn’t asked.)
Here’s the professional stuff. I’m a recipient of the Writers for Writers Award, the Marymount Manhattan Writing Center Award, and the John Steinbeck Award. I just retired (after over a decade) as chairman of the board of the literary organization, Poets & Writers. I also served as president of Mystery Writers of America. I belong to the National Book Critics Circle, the Creative Coalition, PEN, the Ameri
I liked my job, but I found doing advice to the lovelorn and articles like “How to Write a Letter to a Boy” somewhat short of fulfilling. So, first as a volunteer, then for actual money, I wrote political speeches in my spare time. I did less of that when I met a wonderful guy, Elkan Abramowitz, then a federal prosecutor in the SDNY.
We were married and a little more than a year later, we had Andrew (now a corporate lawyer). Three years later, Elizabeth (now a philosopher and writer) was born. I’d left Seventeen to be home with my kids but continued to to do speeches and the occasional magazine piece. During what free time I had, I read more mysteries than was healthy. Possibly I became deranged, but I thought, I can do this.
And that’s how Compromising Positions, a whodunit with a housewife-detectives set on Long Island came about. Talk about good luck: it was chosen the Main Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club, auctioned for paperback, sold to the movies, translated into thirty languages, and became a bestseller. I was a little overwhelmed by the success. However, it’s hard to rise to a state of perpetual cool and go to slick downtown parties when you’re living in the suburbs with a husband, two kids, two dogs, and a mini-van, I simply wrote another book… and then another and another.
About half my works are mysteries, two fall into the category of espionage, and the rest are…well, regular novels. In the horn-tooting department, nearly all my novels have been New York Times bestsellers.
My kids grew up. My husband became a defense lawyer specializing in white collar matters: I call him my house counsel since I’m always consulting him on criminal procedure, the justice system, and law enforcement jargon. Anyway, after forty-five years of writing all sorts of novels—standalones—I decided to write a mystery series. I conceived Corie Geller with a rich enough background to avoid what I’d always been leery of—that doing a series would mean writing the same book over and over, changing only the settings.
I also produced one work of nonfiction, Brave Dames and Wimpettes: What Women are Really Doing on Page and Screen. I wrote a slew of articles, essays, and op-ed pieces as well. Newsday sent me to write about the 2000 presidential campaign, which was one of the greatest thrills of my life-going to both conventions, riding beside John McCain on the Straight Talk Express, interviewing George W. Bush. I also reviewed books for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Newsday. (My website has far more information about my projects than most people would want to know, but have a look.)
In the mid-1980s, I wrote the screenplay for Paramount’s Compromising Positions which starred Susan Sarandon and Raul Julia. I also wrote and co-produced Touchstone’s Hello Again which starred Shelley Long, Gabriel Byrne, and Judith Ivey. (My fourth novel, Shining Through, set during World War II became the 20th Century Fox movie starring Michael Douglas, Melanie Griffith and Liam Neeson. I would have written the script, except I wasn’t asked.)
Here’s the professional stuff. I’m a recipient of the Writers for Writers Award, the Marymount Manhattan Writing Center Award, and the John Steinbeck Award. I just retired (after over a decade) as chairman of the board of the literary organization, Poets & Writers. I also served as president of Mystery Writers of America. I belong to the National Book Critics Circle, the Creative Coalition, PEN, the Ameri
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 18, 2012
Isaacs is a word-painter. Her writing is vivid and lush, and once in awhile, a slice of wry humor comes around a corner and strikes you hard and fast, and you didn't expect to laugh, yet there you are.
I read everything Isaacs writes. This was one of the first. I am usually unwilling to read about the upper-middle-class and wealthy characters, but because she is so very, very good, I read them anyway.
I don't want to wreck the plot with specifics. One thing I will say: the women are always the heroes...and I guess I like that part. And yes, if you are particular about off-color language, avoid everything she has written, as you are sure to be offended. As for me? I found out that she has published one I haven't read yet, and I can hardly wait!
I read everything Isaacs writes. This was one of the first. I am usually unwilling to read about the upper-middle-class and wealthy characters, but because she is so very, very good, I read them anyway.
I don't want to wreck the plot with specifics. One thing I will say: the women are always the heroes...and I guess I like that part. And yes, if you are particular about off-color language, avoid everything she has written, as you are sure to be offended. As for me? I found out that she has published one I haven't read yet, and I can hardly wait!
January 3, 2012
I just didn't manage to get into this book and stopped after page 200...
October 29, 2014
My go to book! Have read it every summer for at least the last ten years and recommend it to all my friends! Steve Brady, recovering alcoholic homicide detective rediscovers the love of his life who he doesn't even remember. Susan Issac's descriptions of Long Island from what is now 25 years ago is bittersweet.
June 29, 2009
It was a well-written mystery, but none of the characters were terribly appealing. The romance aspect was pretty much killed by how negative the male narrator was toward his love interest - physically, emotionally, verbally- criticism is not terribly romantic.
July 2, 2011
This is a crime novel with a romantic interest. I liked the story line and characters, liked the love interest, didn't care much for the sex scenes and language that was there in places, although it wasn't as bad as most romance novels.
February 22, 2021
Disappointing
The male lead was not likable in any way. His tiresome fantasies about Bonnie were edging up on sick. I couldn't finish it. I normally like Susan Isaacs but I won't read another make driven mystery by her.
The male lead was not likable in any way. His tiresome fantasies about Bonnie were edging up on sick. I couldn't finish it. I normally like Susan Isaacs but I won't read another make driven mystery by her.
May 7, 2022
Thought I'd never get through this book as was very slow. Not the most exciting, however, picked up towards the end. Probably would have made a good made-for-tv movie about 20 years ago, if she had picked up the pace.
December 21, 2010
A murder mystery. Held my interest, but not earth-shattering.
February 25, 2016
fun location - so dated - I waited too long to read it!
Read
May 2, 2026I got this from a friend who was moving and getting rid of books -the name was familiar and as I'd never read anything by her I picked it up.
I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't necessarily a story about an (ex-?) alcoholic detective obsessing about a suspect.
There was quite a bit of humor and it made for an entertaining read, but it felt a bit dated and Steve's obsession became annoying at some point. There is an explanation for it, but it was a while before that became clear.
I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't necessarily a story about an (ex-?) alcoholic detective obsessing about a suspect.
There was quite a bit of humor and it made for an entertaining read, but it felt a bit dated and Steve's obsession became annoying at some point. There is an explanation for it, but it was a while before that became clear.
September 4, 2022
This book was drawn out in some ways,and once again got slow in some areas.Half the time I wondered if the book was about the crime committed or the relationships this cop kept getting into during his life.On the upside the outcome wasn't what I expected as far as who killed Sy in the story.Though the circumstances seemed rather stupid to me.It was an ok book just not something I would consider a favorite.
November 26, 2017
I like a lot of types of books, or a variety of subjects. And I picked up this book because it's by an author, Susan Isaacs, who is a most reliable provider of classic page-turners. I've read a lot of her books, and I gave it as a gift to myself during this holiday week. And I enjoyed it thoroughly, and without any guilt...
June 27, 2025
p398. "It was the magic hour...Twice a day, opportunities for wonder. But in real life, those moments that allow the possibilities for grace hardly ever come at all." Really? I don't think so. The opportunities to employ grace occur every day---multiple times every day.
Without this line I could recommend as an easy beach read, but this pretty much spoiled it for me.
Without this line I could recommend as an easy beach read, but this pretty much spoiled it for me.
August 29, 2025
Este libro ha envejecido un poco mal. La misoginia de los personajes es exagerada y a menudo inverosímil. El protagonista masculino es poco creíble, una mala hipérbole de la idea que la autora tiene de lo que debería ser un hombre hetero sexista y obsesionado con el sexo.
Sin más, lo he acabado. A otra cosa, mariposa.
Sin más, lo he acabado. A otra cosa, mariposa.
March 18, 2026
The descriptive writing was really excellent, but this book is so densely dialogue-heavy that it took me a full eight days to get through. I also didn't appreciate the crude way the story narrator speaks/thinks about women, but Magic Hour WAS written multiple decades ago, and that's just my own personal preference talking.
May 22, 2021
This is the first book I have ready by this author and my first thought was that it was a lot of pages! I did enjoy the story and didn’t guess “whodunit” but the chapters were too long and it could probably have some bits cut out to make it an easier read.
January 16, 2019
Solid good detective story taking place on LI. A good read.
May 18, 2019
Not my cup of tea at all. Very flat characters. Truly do not understand 5 star reviews.
May 20, 2019
Great author and fun book.
July 31, 2019
a fast, funny read set in the hamptons
October 19, 2019
A little lengthy but good
January 18, 2020
January 2014
November 24, 2020
Pure filth. Stopped reading it early on.
April 12, 2021
Found the characters unlikable. Probably took 3 times longer to get through than I normally would have because I kept putting it aside in order to read something else.
May 25, 2021
I did enjoy the book, but although the author wrote as a man, her feminine side was apparent.
June 21, 2021
Rehashing plot
July 29, 2023
Not as good as some of her other books.
July 10, 2024
fun but not great cop story
August 21, 2024
Great mystery novel that keeps you guessing til the end. She does a great job setting the scene and building characters in a way that’s authentic and puts you right in the story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews