Tributes have poured in this week for Susanna Gross, the former Literary Editor of The Mail on Sunday, who died on Tuesday at the age of 58.
Susanna, who was married to author John Preston, worked for the Review section of the paper from 1999-2016.
Last night Peter Wright, former Editor of The Mail on Sunday, said: ‘Susanna was a complete joy to work with as Literary Editor. She knew everything and everyone in the world of books.
‘Not only were her pages a delight to read, but they gave the paper a touch of class that was gold dust to an editor.’
George Thwaites, who edited the section and was a close friend, added: ‘Susanna was an exceptional journalist. Her stellar team of reviewers adored her, and the feeling was mutual – she was their greatest champion, often going into battle on their behalf.
‘As a brilliant and witty writer herself, she knew exactly what havoc a misplaced comma could wreak. As a colleague and friend, she was endlessly entertaining, loyal and generous.
‘Though fiercely bright, she wore her intelligence so lightly that she’d talk with equal joy about highbrow literature or trash TV. She truly lit up the lives of all those lucky enough to fall into her orbit.’
Susanna was also a highly accomplished bridge player, representing England in a number of competitions, and wrote a column for The Spectator for a quarter of a century.
In a tribute in the magazine, editor Michael Gove wrote: ‘The Spectator asks only one thing of its writers: that they entertain. Susanna Gross, who wrote our bridge column in this space for 25 years, never failed.
‘She played the game expertly, and with panache, representing England in international competitions. But formidable as her skills at the table were, she was even more accomplished as a writer. And unforgettable as a friend.’
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who edited the magazine before he was elected Mayor of London, but knew ‘nothing about bridge’, added: ‘It is the supreme gift of a specialist columnist to keep you reading even if you are apathetic about the subject, and I always read her down to the diagram (when I admitted defeat).
‘It takes charm and genius to lure in the lay reader week after week; Susanna had both in spades. Or trumps, or both.’
Susanna leaves husband John, a journalist and author of A Very English Scandal and The Dig, her children Joseph and Milly, her brother Tom and mother Miriam, a former Literary Editor of the Sunday Telegraph.
