Picture a Brooklyn-born wordsmith who turned suburban secrets into page-turning mysteries—meet Susan Isaacs! With her sharp wit and knack for blending humor with suspense, Isaacs has delighted readers for decades, starting with her breakout novel, Compromising Positions. Her stories, rich with flawed heroines and social commentary, make her a standout in American literature.
From novels to screenplays to essays, Isaacs’s versatility shines. Her work captures the quirks of human nature, often with a feminist twist, earning her a loyal following and critical acclaim. Let’s dive into the life, works, and lasting impact of this literary gem.
The Making of Susan Isaacs
Born on December 7, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, Susan Isaacs grew up in a vibrant, Jewish household, the daughter of a homemaker and an electrical engineer. She majored in English at Queens College, minoring in economics, a practical nod to her future. After graduating, she dove into the world of magazines, becoming a senior editor at Seventeen, while moonlighting as a freelance political speechwriter. In 1968, she married lawyer Elkan Abramowitz, and by 1970, she paused her career to raise their two children, freelancing to keep her pen sharp.
Her shift to fiction came almost by accident. While at home, Isaacs began crafting Compromising Positions, her first novel, published in 1978. It was a bold leap for someone with no fiction experience, but her storytelling instincts and keen eye for suburban life paid off, launching her into literary stardom.
Susan Isaacs’s Unforgettable Stories
Isaacs’s novels are a delicious mix of mystery, humor, and heart, often featuring strong, relatable women navigating complex lives. Compromising Positions (1978) introduced Judith Singer, a Long Island housewife turned amateur sleuth, whose investigation of a dentist’s murder became a New York Times bestseller. Its witty take on suburbia and feminist undertones resonated widely, leading Isaacs to adapt it into a 1985 film starring Susan Sarandon.
Other standouts include Shining Through (1988), a World War II espionage thriller about a Jewish secretary’s daring love affair, later adapted into a film with Michael Douglas, and As Husbands Go (2010), a modern mystery blending family drama with sharp social satire. Her recent Corie Geller series, starting with Takes One to Know One (2019), showcases her ability to evolve, offering fresh, savvy heroines for today’s readers. Isaacs’s style—conversational, layered, and unafraid to tackle gender dynamics—sets her apart as a master of character-driven storytelling.
Beyond fiction, Isaacs penned Brave Dames and Wimpettes: What Women Are Really Doing on Page and Screen (1999), a witty cultural critique of female portrayals in media. Her essays, op-eds, and book reviews for outlets like The New York Times and Newsday further showcase her incisive voice, often exploring feminism, politics, and free expression.
Why Susan Isaacs Matters
Susan Isaacs’s impact lies in her ability to make the ordinary extraordinary. Her heroines—flawed, funny, and fiercely independent—paved the way for complex female characters in mystery and beyond. By blending humor with social commentary, she captured the zeitgeist of suburban life and gender roles, influencing writers and readers alike. Her leadership as chairman of Poets & Writers and past president of Mystery Writers of America underscores her commitment to the literary community.
Isaacs’s advocacy for causes like domestic violence prevention and support for the developmentally disabled (inspired by her grandson’s condition) adds depth to her legacy. Her work, translated into 30 languages, continues to resonate globally, proving her stories are as timeless as they are entertaining.
- Born: December 7, 1943, Brooklyn, New York
- Key Works: Compromising Positions, Shining Through, As Husbands Go, Takes One to Know One
- Awards: Writers for Writers Award, John Steinbeck Award
- Fun Fact: She covered the 2000 presidential campaign for Newsday, riding the Straight Talk Express with John McCain!
Ready to get lost in a witty, suspenseful world? Grab Compromising Positions or Takes One to Know One and discover why Susan Isaacs’s stories are impossible to put down!