Customer Reviews

Magic Hour

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4 star:		(6)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although it is not my favorite by Susan Isaacs, I feel compelled to mention that this is one of her few books written from a male character's point of view, and it works great. Steve Brady is a "real" person all the way around - a former alcoholic, he is apprehensive about his current relationship and his numbing everyday existence, when BAM, he unexpectedly falls head over heels for someone he never suspected would make him feel that way. I love Bonnie's character - I appreciate that she's not beautiful or sexy, just a real good person. I love the build up to their climax, and I think Steven Brady learns so much about himself in the process.

"HE was a man who fled from the past..."

"SHE was a woman who lived in it..."

No, wait...

"FOR every man there is a woman who holds the key to his past..."
"FOR every woman, there is a man who can open her future..."

**********
OK, this was never made into a movie, and Susan Isaacs is a much better writer than me, but her two strong protagonists seem just right for the big screen. Detective Stephen Brody is a modern film noir hero, straight out of Bogart: He's a cynic who doesn't play by the rules, he has his own moral code (that, nevertheles,p lays well with readers,, and when he falls for a woman, he falls hard. That is, if he can remember his alcohol-induced trysts. See, Brody has a past, no, make that a PAST! ...possibly undiagnosed PTSD out of Vietnam, subsequent heavy-duty alcoholism, and a strangely askew family history, including a would-be social climber of a mom on the fringes of upper-class Long Island.

Ms. Bonnie Spencer is the castoff spouse of rich guy producer Sy Spencer, neatly killed (it looks like a professional hit) near the location of his newest movie. He's having an affair with the lead, who's fooling aroun with the director, even the technical and artistic staff are fooling around with each other--it's wonder anything got made (meaning the movie, of course). Brody arrives en scene, and he and his partners in Homicide focus on three suspects, eventually zooming in on Ms. Spencer. Ms. Spencer was a slightly promising screenwriter when she met Sy Spencer; she's an impoverished hack living la vida promiscuous when Sy Spencer reenters her life. Importantly, there's a strange attraction and sexual tension between detective Brody and Bonnie Spencer, something fishier than the Long Island Sound is going on here. One starts thinking Oedipal Complex before too long, but Ms. Isaacs resolves the mystery credibly, if somewhat conveniently.

It's a fast "page-turner" of a book, believable, with a supposed man's eye view of sex (maybe if you're an alcoholic man with a PAST), and fairly credible multiple suspects. Really, I looked forward to getting back in to the book, the dialogue crackles, the observations on the Long Island social scene are funny and well-observed, and Brody has that Bogart-like appeal. Still, when you're done with the book, you can't help but wonder how Isaacs does so well with so little: There are only a few plot twists (though they're important ones), almost no action or violence (except fot that page one murder of Sy Spencer), and the characters seem too familiar.

The appeal is simple-- it's Susan Isaac's writing. Infused with genuine humor, a compelling cast of minor characters, and snappy dialogue between Brody and Bonnie Spencer, the book isn't your typical mystery. Isaacs doesn't waste time on fussy details or convoluted plot mechanics. It's refreshingly direct, it mixes Shirlock Holmesian deduction with Mickey Spillane sex, and she mixes bemused detachment with intense drama. As she's proven several times over, Isaacs is a master story-teller.

Steve Brady, the narrator is a Long Island cop and recovering alcoholic with the perfect, twenty-something fiance. Why, then, can't he stop thinking about Bonnie Spencer, the ex-wife of the victim and the prime murder suspect? The description of this plot on the cover sounded shmaltzy and stupid, but being an Isaacs fan, I read it, and highly recommend it.

Before long, you forget the author is a female, because the male narrator is so believable. The characters are well-drawn, even the minor "supporting" characters. My only quibble is that I figured out the "shocking" actual murderer looonnnggg before the last few pages when it is revealed. Still, the book keeps you wanting to turn pages long past Midnight, and I felt sorry when it ended. You can't ask much more from a book.

It's a little too easy to figure out "whodunit" in this mystery, but otherwise, this is one of those books that kept me thinking, even after I read the last page. I wanted to know what happened to Steve and Bonnie after they solved the murder and proceeded to lead ordinary lives. The greatest thing about "Magic Hour" and all of Isaac's books is the personal relationship you develop with the characters. A solid read, even if the ending is a little predictable.

This was the first book I ever read by Susan Isaacs, and it's a great example of her really unique style-- beautifully written, often hysterically funny, and always "a ripping good yarn." Having now read and re-read her entire oeuvre, settling down with Magic Hour reminds me of sitting down to a hot toddy and a meatloaf-and-mashed-potatoes dinner on a cold and rainy night -- anticipated with pleasure, full of comfort, and leaving one with a nice feeling of satisfaction when it's over. Isaacs' characterizations are full and real, the often witty and/or self-deprecating inner monologues of the characters will have you either sympathizing or snorting with laughter, and the story is an interesting murder mystery. Buy it, read it, and then get Shining Through. The only thing disappointing about Isaacs is that she hasn't written about twice as many books!

I first read 'After All These Years' and thought that was good, but 'Magic Hour' makes it seem slow in comparison. This book is extremely witty and intelligent, and even though it moves quickly, it seems as if nearly every line contains some humorous or perceptive observation. The narrator, Steve Brady, is instantly likeable, despite how flawed he is. Similarly, Bonnie is far from a 'perfect' person, yet Isaacs manages to make her a very appealing character. If I had one complaint, I would've preferred Isaacs had made BOTH Steve and Bonnie less promiscuous in their past (not a gender thing, it's just a question of safety!). Anyway, I would highly recommend this book. I don't think the mystery is obvious at all, but regardless, the puzzle is only one aspect of this story...which is definitely an example of talented writing. Don't miss this one!

The book came late but it came in one piece and was in good shape-the mail syatem was to blame as it turne dout

"Shining Through" is my favorite Susan Issacs novel (however I like the movie still a little bit more than the novel), but "The Magic Hour" was a very compelling read, too.
It was released in Germany the same year when the movie "The Magic Hour" with Susan Sarandon came into the movie theaters...I was pretty disappointed that it had nothing to do with the book. Just the same title.
Very recommendable.

I am a bit jaded with the recovering alcoholic cop as a main character, but Susan Isaacs's MAGIC HOUR does a nice job of the almost cliche protagonist.
Steve Brady is a local who grew up outside the environs of moneyed Hamptons. He was the neighborhoods bad boy with the standard dysfunctional family, but Isaacs makes her character believable when he steps into the world of make believe.
Sy Spencer (movie producer) is murdered by his swimming pool and the chief suspect is his ex-wife Bonnie. The evidence is so tightly stacked against her that you almost wonder if the controlling Sy set her up to take the fall for his murder.
Criminal investigation and romance are tightly woven in this complex novel.
Nash Black, author of QUALIFYING LAPS.

This book is a good page-turner and mystery. It is about a movie producer who is shot and killed in the Hamptons. The Police Detective assigned to the case becomes enamored of the corpse's ex-wife.

The book has good dialogue and is a good read.