Susan Isaacs writes books that are just so smart and funny, yet they also keep you on the edge of your seat. You might remember “Compromising Positions” and its funny take on suburban life, or perhaps “Shining Through”, a suspenseful story set in World War II.
If you like that particular mix, you’re likely looking for authors with a similar style. This article will introduce you to some writers you might enjoy if you are a Susan Isaacs reader.
Elizabeth Adler is an author known for her engaging stories that blend mystery, romance and vivid settings.
If you’re a fan of Susan Isaacs and you enjoy novels that feature strong female characters, witty dialogue, and immersive locations, Elizabeth Adler might be your ideal next read.
Her book “Meet Me in Venice” follows Precious Rafferty, an American who receives a mysterious invitation to Venice from a cousin she never met. Upon arrival, Precious is quickly wrapped up in family secrets, hidden treasures, and unexpected romance.
The novel moves across beautiful and vibrant locations from Paris to Shanghai, filled with suspenseful moments, charming characters, and clever dialogue that keeps the pages turning.
Sue Grafton is a fantastic choice for readers who enjoy Susan Isaacs’ blend of suspense, humor, and engaging detective work. Grafton is best known for her Alphabet series that stars the clever and determined private investigator Kinsey Millhone.
In “A is for Alibi,” we meet Kinsey as she takes on the case of Nikki Fife, a woman who served time for killing her husband but insists she’s innocent. Kinsey dives into the tangled web of the past, discovering secrets and confronting danger that threatens her life.
Grafton’s stories offer intriguing puzzles, sharp dialogue, and a protagonist readers will eagerly follow from one letter of the alphabet to the next.
Dorothea Benton Frank was a beloved Southern writer known for her sharp wit and relatable characters, who captured the essence of family, friendship, and life on the Carolina coast.
Readers who enjoy Susan Isaacs’s blend of humor, warmth, and layered family dynamics may appreciate Frank’s novel “Sullivan’s Island.”
In this engaging story, Susan Hayes returns home to Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina after her marriage crumbles, ready to reconnect with her family roots. Along the way, she faces bittersweet memories, long-held family secrets, and the quirky charm of life in the Lowcountry.
Frank’s lively storytelling brings small-town drama, strong-willed female characters, and comforting humor into a tale that’s thoughtful and satisfying.
Readers who enjoy Susan Isaacs might also appreciate the warm humor and vivid storytelling of Fannie Flagg. Flagg combines engaging, relatable characters with authentic Southern charm, creating stories filled with heart and wit.
In her novel “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe,” she paints a rich portrait of friendship and community in small-town Alabama.
The narrative alternates between timelines, chronicling the lively friendship between Idgie and Ruth in the 1930s, and the present-day conversations between Evelyn, a restless housewife, and Ninny Threadgoode, who tells tales from the past.
The book explores themes of friendship, resilience, and the sense of belonging found in an unlikely community.
If you enjoy Susan Isaacs’s witty novels filled with humor and keen observations on everyday relationships, you’ll appreciate Elinor Lipman. Lipman writes smart, funny novels that celebrate life’s quirks and surprises.
Her book “The Inn at Lake Devine” follows Natalie Marx, who, as a child, faced exclusion from a lakeside resort due to her Jewish background.
Years later, Natalie meets the family who owns the inn, sparking complicated friendships, unexpected romance, and sharp insights into tolerance and prejudice. Lipman tackles serious themes with a light charm that keeps you turning the pages.
Maeve Binchy was an Irish author known for warm, character-driven stories set in Ireland, filled with humor, heart, and life’s everyday dramas. Readers who appreciate Susan Isaacs’ engaging storytelling and relatable characters often find Binchy’s novels equally appealing.
One of her most beloved books is “Circle of Friends,” a charming story that follows two childhood friends, Benny and Eve, through their college years in 1950s Dublin. Their friendship faces various tests—from love triangles and family secrets to societal expectations.
Binchy masterfully creates a vivid sense of time and place while exploring the complex joys and sorrows of friendship and growing up.
Books by Jacqueline Mitchard often focus on family secrets and emotional drama, themes that readers of Susan Isaacs might appreciate.
For example, in “The Deep End of the Ocean,” Mitchard introduces us to Beth Cappadora, a mother whose life unravels after her young son, Ben, disappears during a reunion.
Nine years later, Ben unexpectedly reappears, leaving the family to confront the challenges of reconnecting with a child who sees them as strangers. The novel explores the raw reality of loss, hope, and what it truly means to be a family.
Mitchard brings these intense family dynamics to life in a way that keeps you emotionally invested until the very end.
Adriana Trigiani writes novels filled with warmth, humor, and strong female characters, perfect for fans of Susan Isaacs.
In “Big Stone Gap,” she takes readers to a small mountain town in Virginia, where Ave Maria Mulligan lives a cozy but predictable life as the local pharmacist.
Ave Maria is thirty-five and unmarried, and long-held family secrets suddenly make her question everything she thought she knew. As unexpected romance and hidden truths shake up her quiet routine, Ave Maria discovers herself in surprising ways.
Trigiani’s charming storytelling and vivid small-town characters make this book a satisfying read.
Readers who enjoy Susan Isaacs may also appreciate Anna Quindlen, an author known for exploring family dynamics and emotional depth in her writing.
In her novel “Every Last One,” Quindlen introduces us to Mary Beth Latham, a mother trying to balance raising three teenage children and managing a stable household.
At first, the story seems like an everyday portrait of family life, full of relatable struggles and ordinary happiness. But beneath this surface, something unforeseen is quietly building.
Tragedy strikes unexpectedly, shattering Mary Beth’s peaceful world and forcing her to reconsider everything she understood about herself and her family. Quindlen’s ability to portray complex relationships truthfully makes “Every Last One” a moving and unforgettable read.
Laura Lippman is an author whose novels blend mystery, strong female characters, and smart dialogue. If you enjoy Susan Isaacs’ clever heroines and interesting plots, you might appreciate Lippman’s style.
Her novel “What the Dead Know” revolves around a baffling crime from the 1970s, when two sisters vanished without a trace from a shopping mall.
Decades later, a woman comes forward claiming to be one of the missing sisters, but questions quickly surface about her identity and secrets.
The story alternates between the tense present-day investigation and intriguing flashbacks to the past, revealing a tangled web of family drama, hidden identities, and long-held secrets.
If mysteries with believable characters and intelligent plotting appeal to you, this book could be a great match.
If you enjoy Susan Isaacs’ sharp storytelling and engaging characters, you might also appreciate the books of Liane Moriarty. Moriarty writes witty novels set in ordinary places that hide surprising secrets and emotional dilemmas.
Her book “Big Little Lies” follows three mothers—Madeline, Celeste, and Jane—as their lives intersect at an upscale elementary school.
Although everything seems perfect in their community, hidden resentments and tense relationships simmer beneath the surface, eventually leading to a dramatic and tragic event on trivia night.
Moriarty blends humor, tension, and keen observations in a way that makes her characters feel real and relatable.
If you enjoy Susan Isaacs’ mysteries that combine family drama, sharp dialogue, and unexpected twists, you’ll probably appreciate Harlan Coben.
His novels often follow ordinary suburban characters who find their comfortable lives suddenly torn apart by dark secrets and hidden pasts. A great example is “Tell No One,” which follows David Beck, a doctor still grieving the tragic loss of his wife eight years earlier.
One day he receives an email containing a shocking video clip; it appears his wife may still be alive. As Beck searches desperately for answers, his own life begins to unravel, and he must confront dangerous truths hidden within trusted friendships and family.
Coben creates tense, emotional mysteries that pull you in and keep you guessing, perfect for fans who love character-driven stories loaded with suspense.
Barbara Delinsky is an author who often weaves emotional depth and intricate family relationships into her novels. Readers who enjoy Susan Isaacs’ blend of vivid characters and relatable stories may appreciate Delinsky’s novel “Family Tree.”
This book tells the story of Dana Clarke, a woman excited to welcome her first child, only to face unexpected family secrets after her daughter’s birth reveals traits that hint at hidden roots.
The unfolding story prompts Dana and her husband to explore their family histories and their own relationship. With its engaging characters, family drama, and exploration of identity, “Family Tree” invites readers into a heartfelt, thought-provoking story.
Jane Green is an author who writes engaging novels about contemporary women navigating relationships, family drama, and personal growth. Her stories are insightful and relatable, filled with humor, warmth, and authentic characters.
In “Jemima J,” she introduces Jemima Jones, a witty journalist struggling with self-image and confidence, who decides to reinvent herself through an online persona.
Jemima’s journey from insecurity to self-discovery reveals truths about love, identity, and friendships, portrayed with warmth and gentle humor. If you enjoy Susan Isaacs’ smart, funny, and heartfelt narratives, Jane Green could easily become your next favorite author.
Readers who enjoy Susan Isaacs’ blend of humor, smart dialogue, and relatable characters might appreciate Jennifer Weiner. Weiner’s novels offer witty, heartfelt stories focused on women’s friendships, family dynamics, and personal growth.
In her book “Good in Bed,” readers meet Cannie Shapiro, a smart and funny journalist whose life takes an unexpected turn after her ex-boyfriend reveals personal details about their relationship in a magazine column.
Faced with unwanted attention and self-doubt, Cannie’s humorous, honest voice invites the reader to share her journey toward self-acceptance, love, and new beginnings.