As Husbands Go-Susan Isaacs

As Husbands Go
Susan Isaacs
Scribner, Jul 6 2010, $25.00
ISBN: 9781416573012

John and Susie Gersten live the perfect life with their four years old identical male triplets (Dashiell, Evan and Mason) in exclusive Shorehaven, Long Island. He is a thriving Manhattan plastic surgeon and she a floral designer although the income exclusively comes for his practice. They employ a housekeeper and two Norwegian au pairs.

However, the Gerstein family idyllic life ends abruptly when he is found murdered in the apartment of a high priced hooker. Susie rejects the NYPD-District Attorney’s assertion that escort Dorinda Dillon killed her client with a scissor because the widow strongly believes her late spouse would not cheat on her. With the aid of her grandma Ethel, Susie investigates who killed her husband and why.

More of a sharp character study than an amateur sleuth; Susie’s objective is not to free Dorinda, but to prove to her friends, family and the tabloids that her wonderful life was genuine. Her belief in her husband’s fidelity is based on his treatment of her and his being a devoted loving father. Although the story line takes a while to set the table, Susie’s account makes for a strong tale. The story line skewers the wealthy avaricious people who never have enough money; admonishes the legal system for settling for the easiest resolution; and bites the media for dumbing down reporting with sound bite analysis. Susan Isaacs provides a strong look at the grimier side of the American dream.

Harriet Klausner