The Official Website of Susan Sussman

Contemporary Women’s Fiction

—New York Times -- "The Dieter reads on one level as glib entertainment…. But beneath the whipped cream is a nicely paced story with moments that are both amusing and touching… Her understanding of the plight of the compulsive eater and dieter, and of the various weight-loss programs, rings true…."

—Susan Isaacs -- "THE DIETER is about gaining and losing: pounds, hus- bands, habits and friends. It is a delightful novel, intelli- gent, witty, and very moving."

—Publisher's Weekly -- "Sussman's clever, lighthearted novel chronicles Barbara Avers's increasing avoirdupois... Barbara is also hell bent on a serious course of dieting…an odyssey that the author captures brilliantly and with uncanny insight."

—Chicago Tribune -- "Susan Sussman has created a witty, well-tailored, smart cookie of a character…[A] clever, literate novel…. Suss- man has tapped into something more substantial than a story about women and food and love."

—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- "An excellent novel for and about women…written with both wit and grit…. and from Susan Sussman, I hope for more novels about contemporary women…"

*A Literary Guild Alternate Selection *A Doubleday Book Club Alternate Selection

TIME OFF FROM GOOD BEHAVIOR

Here, with wit, warmth and penetrating insight, is a love story for the new millennium.

Young Wives' Tales

A powerful and compelling novel about a woman's discovery of her true identity.

Mystery, female sleuths, humor

MIAMI ICED

When a young widow reports for Miami Jury Duty, she is plunged into a quirky world of murder, mayhem and an unpredictable group of Runyonesque characters.

AUDITION FOR MURDER

Publishers Weekly...."Even the bit players make notable contributions in Sussman's entertaining and witty romp, which will have readers applauding for an encore."

Library Journal....."A thoroughly satisfying mystery debut."

Kirkus Reviews..."Lively, fully-realized characters, and our heroine's vibrant, warm and funny persona…[make for] a fresh and entertaining debut."

Book list...."Hilarious…Morgan Taylor [is] funny, smart-mouthed, totally endearing character…Although this is Morgan Taylor's first outing, one strongly hopes that Sussman and Avidon will give her an encore."

"A sharp and sassy crime debut in the tradition of Janet Evanovich and Lauren Henderson." (Also available on Audio)

CRUISING FOR MURDER

Sussman and Avidon deliver an amazingly fresh and entertaining puzzle sure to have mystery fans crying "encore!" once again. (Also available on Audio)

Children's Fiction

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A CHANUKKAH BUSH, SANDY GOLDSTEIN

The award-winning tender story of a young Jewish girl at Christmas time. (Also available as an EMMY AWARD-winning DVD)

HANUKKAH: EIGHT LIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD

Each of the eight nights of Hanukkah is celebrated in a different part of the world.

HIPPO THUNDER

What do you do when you’re a little scared of loud thunder? Why, you count hippos!

Children's Nonfiction

BIG FRIEND-LITTLE FRIEND: A BOOK ABOUT SYMBIOSIS

Full-color photographs illustrate fourteen of the most fascinating symbiotic relationships that have developed between pairs of living creatures.

LIES (people believe) ABOUT ANIMALS

"Porcupines shoot their quills." "A tarantula's bite will kill you." This clear, concise book for fourth through sixth graders includes lie/truth statements about animals followed by intriguing, easy to understand facts. Delightful and exciting photos by Fred Leavitt. An essential book for the budding grade-school scientist.

"The book will fascinate and inform any young animal enthusiast."
—School Library Journal

Books by Susan Sussman

Young Wives' Tales

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Young Wives' Tales
Susan Sussman
Pocket Books ISBN: 0-7472-1233-3
BUY IT NOW

ABOUT THE BOOK
Molly’s love of storytelling — catapulting audiences through worlds of wonder and terror, mysticism and magic — has helped her survive some difficult times. At the moment she is a student with two things on her mind: to finish her dissertation on “Cautionary Tales of Chicago Immigrants” and to succeed in carrying a baby full-term. Centering her chaotic world is her stable marriage to Matthew, counselor at the town’s community centre.

Then Molly’s sister comes to stay. Rich and devious, spoiled and selfish, Judith is a dilettante author desperate for material For a new book. She thinks nothing of destroying everything Molly has worked so hard to build.

Amidst the turmoil caused by Judith’s visit, Molly has to contend with the arrival of two aunts. Wanda and Lucy are a mysterious duo: enigmatic and mystical with strange magnetic powers to which Molly is constantly drawn. As her relationship with these women develops, Molly learns how to fight for what is rightfully hers — and to confront the existence of her own mystical powers which she’s repressed for so long.

Extraordinary and haunting, YOUNG WIVES’ TALES is a powerful and compelling novel about a woman’s discovery of her true identity.