Marriage

Bright, witty and brisk, Nagy's (A House in the Hamptons) latest puts a refreshing, thoughtful spin on a Hollywood marriage in turmoil. It's Thanksgiving Day and travel writer Annie Wilder's 45th birthday. Her family is gathering for what she's certain will degenerate into a celebration worthy of a ``Jewish Eugene O'Neill.'' Even worse, her husband, sexy TV detective Mickey Wilder, may be having an affair. Sweethearts since the age of six, Annie and Mickey have two grown kids, a big house outside Santa Barbara, Calif., and a marriage considered invulnerable. But in a matter of days, their comfortable, predictable world begins to crumble. Annie both discovers the unlikely object of Mickey's sexual obsession and has a passionate encounter with Oliver Taylor, an English art dealer; and Leonard Lewis, ``investment advisor to the stars,'' absconds with all of their money. Determined to take control of some aspect of her life, Annie vows to find Leonard and reclaim their savings. Before she can, however, Mickey's TV series is canceled, the family goes on a tension-filled Christmas vacation to a Mexican Club Med and Annie has a rendezvous with Oliver in London. Although Nagy puts a saccharine twist on the tragedy that forces Annie finally to choose between Mickey and Oliver, most readers will find this smart and swiftly enjoyable novel just right for a summer weekend around the pool. (July)