Mystery of the Green Cat

by Phyllis A. Whitney

"There is a great deal of hostility between Jill and Carol Spencer and their stepbrothers until the mysterious events taking place in the old Victorian house next door distract them.."

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Mystery Thriller, Cats

188 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1957

About the author

Phyllis Ayame Whitney (1903 – 2008) was an American mystery writer. Rare for her genre, she wrote mysteries for both the juvenile and the adult markets, many of which feature exotic locations. A review in The New York Times once dubbed her "The Queen of the American Gothics".

She was born in Japan to American parents and spent her early years in Asia. Whitney wrote more than seventy novels. In 1961, her book The Mystery of the Haunted Pool won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Juvenile novel, and she duplicated the honor in 1964, for The Mystery of the Hidden Hand. In 1988, the MWA gave her a Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Whitney died of pneumonia on February 8, 2008, aged 104.

Reviews

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read the irreplaceable Phyllis A. Whitney since my teens. So vast is her legacy of published works to the literary world, that after all this time I am still uncovering them in triumphant places! Knowing they came out as late as 1997, I wondered with puzzlement what her range is. At a thrift store, I found this: "The Mystery Of The Green Cat". I was blown away that it’s from 1957. Like a magical moment out of a movie, while I read this mystery one night; a girl's school portrait dropped out of it!

{That is but one joy of real copies versus 'e-books', which
will never do anything for me}.

Further to the startling testimony to Phyllis's repertoire of 100 books, I was taken aback by how good this is. It’s ageless but covers issues that would have been insightful at that time. A widowed lady and man blend apprehensive daughters and sons into a marriage. They move to the San Francisco hills, where an elite mansion exhibits bizarre activity. An elderly lady seeks help locating a personal relic. Her sister has spent years shielding her from scandal, since her husband disappeared in the Orient. She is cheered by the company and seeing that, the sister loosens up. What is 'the green cat', would finding it alleviate the anxiety since her return to the United States, or would merely speaking of it threaten her sanity?

This is a more satisfying story than I can say! I also tip my hat to her gender and race equality, 55 years ago. There are strong Japanese influences in some of Phyllis's novels, where I learned the author was born. San Francisco, USA is multicultural, a facet that is superbly conveyed in all her related titles. Find yourself this book any way you can!

[Gary Sites · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don't suppose young people ever realize that there is still a very young person hiding inside most old people."

Phyllis Whitney certainly knew people, especially young folks. It's evident in this wonderful mystery first printed in 1957. It was written for kids, but it has something for everyone. Exceptional writing and story-telling make this a classic for lovers of mystery, even those who have become seasoned with years. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

People in the 1950s really did have pointy knees and elbows. Also, an old Victorian mansion on San Francisco's Russian Hill...a jade cat statuette...the mystery of the Orient... What's not to love? (I'm sad there's no cover image because I truly love it.)

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did this Phyllis A. Whitney story as an audio book.

This was actually one of her stories geared towards children in the 10+ age group. It was a very enjoyable story. She used San Francisco, California at the back drop for this one. I enjoyed her description of the fog around Telegraph Hill and other locations in the city.

The mystery in this story is rather intriguing. It keeps you wanting to stay with the story to find out what it is.

The Year(s) of Phyllis A. Whitney roll on.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the 1st time I picked it up. I loved the cover and the mystry of it. I was fascinated with San Francisco and the fog. Like another reader commented "too bad that there is not a cover picture". I wish I had a copy today.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, this was my first novel by this author, and I am very much impressed. There are so many interesting layers. At the time, I guess it was considered a YA novel, now it's probably more geered towards middlegraders.
Twins Andy and Adrian are living differently the death of their mum, especially when a couple of years later, their father remarries to a woman who has two girls, Jill and Carol.
Now they move to a San Francisco hill, and are neighbors to a mysterious mansion, with mysterious inhabitants spying on people through binoculars.
From one thing to the next, they get involved into a story about a green cat.
This was a lot of fun, with gothic and just a tad bit spooky places.
I don't know San Francisco, but all the details about the hills, and the life there sounded very real and fascinating, as well as the history around the time of the fire.
There were also elements about Japan, earthquakes, and Oriental art.
And very good points on family dynamic and how to navigate with a "new Mom". And good basic daily wisdom.
The characters were very well developped, from the strange baroness and her sister, to the angry teen, and of course with Jill "the detective".
I only had time for one book for ReadingTheMeow 2025, and am sure glad I chose this one.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3rd grade teacher read this to our class, and I absolutely loved it then. This book, and a picture on the back cover of a little cat, inspired me to make a little ceramic cat in college that I still have.

I haven't probably read the book since 3rd grade, but I still found it intriguing today. Some things and phrases are quite dated, yet it still stands the test of time. I am surprised I could not borrow this book from the library. It is quite a classic.

[Rhiannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book.
At first glance it looks like the kind of book you think "Well, looks okay but a bit small" and when you read it it was AWESOME!
:)
I feel sad for all the people, especially Lydia.
:D

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Jill, carol, Andy, and Adrian visit their neighbour to solve some mysteries. They found out so much about heir neighbours, and also made some new friends. I learned that you need to investigate to find things out sometimes. Auryn 12 years old, 2016

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books from childhood!

[Judy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my absolutely favorite books when I was young.

[Erin Ramsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only thing I remember about reading this when I was a kid was that I didn't know what bangs were.

[KennyO · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book I remember enjoying in childhood, circa 1960. It enlightened me about the odd thinking of adults who are misguidedly "looking out for" the interests of others.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade school teacher read book aloud in class. Still remember it to this day.

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I barely remembered anything from first reading Mystery of the Green Cat, so my expectations were a bit low when I decided to revisit it. But I was pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the plot and the character dynamics of the story. It may be an obscure old children's story, but it is not lightweight, inconsequential reading. The tension between the new stepsiblings and the parents felt very realistic, and all the people involved were sympathetic to a degree. Hana was a delightful character, and despite her poorly-aging dialogue it was nice to see interracial friendship in a book this old. The mystery itself was cleverly done and quite different from what I first expected it to be. Mystery of the Green Cat is a story that does not deserve its obscurity, and still has plenty of timeless appeal. I'll be watching for more Phyllis A. Whitney books in the future!

[Oolookitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun juvenile mystery from Whitney. And aside from the mystery, there’s plenty of emotion in this story of a newly blended family, and the resentment and grief that keep one of the boys from bonding with his new siblings and stepmother.

Aside from the youngest daughter, who seems oblivious to a lot of of what’s going on, characters are layered and complex, including the woman up the hill who starts out villainous and frightening until we learn more about her and why she behaves the way she does.

Unlike some juvenile mysteries in which children are required to be little Sherlocks, this is something that could actually be believably solved by a group of kids, but that doesn’t stop it from being fun and suspenseful.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am about a third of the way through that big fat YA novel that is all the rage this summer but at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere Wyoming they had a free book shelf and I found this book, a total blast from the past and I couldn't resist so I put the fat book down and enjoyed this the rest of the way across Wyoming. I loved Phyllis A. Whitney as a kid and I still love her. This was a sweet story with a happy ending and a fun "mystery".

One quote to remember: "My father always claimed that smart people never get bored - only stupid ones. He said smart people can always find something to interest them anywhere they are."

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was 7 or 8 I ordered this title from Scholastic Book Club through my school. It probably cost 50 cents. I must have read it multiple times and don’t know what happened to that copy. Reasons for it being a favorite: mystery, an inscrutable ceramic Asian cat, San Francisco (including fog), the Far East, and even shish kabobs. I still love all those things.

Green Cat held up well on rereading. I was surprised by how much of the exact phrasing I remembered. It is probably too dated to be a child’s favorite today (for one thing, it’s out of print), but I enjoyed returning to Russian Hill after all these years.

[Gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Oriental Art and Family Blending”

A surprisingly entertaining and engaging mystery unfolds as kids from a newly blended family struggle to feel comfortable with their step-parents in mid-1950’s San Francisco. Twins Andy and Adrian can’t accept Emily as their replacement mom, while the girls Jill and Carol, choke to call Mr. Dallas “Father.” To spice things up the kids become aware of a mystery emanating from the old, gloomy house on the hill above them—rumored to be inhabited by a nasty recluse and her widowed, invalid sister. What secrets from the painfully turbulent past are hidden high up there, where reporters and all company are shunned? And why does one old lady piteously ask for her green cat?

The setting of San Francisco itself provides a foggy backdrop for the unraveling of decades-old secrets, as readers are given a virtual tour of famous sights: from Nob Hill and Coit Tower to Fisherman’s Wharf. Despite the predictable, elementary syntax this story also references the deep Oriental influence of the City by the Bay, while also introducing young readers to the special charm of Asian art. One note: the author’s use of Japanese replacement pronunciation (R for L) seems culturally insensitive in the 21st century. The girls learn the importance of forming new friendships; the twins learn the true meaning of Family. And as amateur detectives they all come to value archival sleuthing. A fun read for kids of all ages!

December 27, 2019

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book I found on a friend's reading list from childhood. I remembered reading it myself as a child. I remember especially liking the illustration by Richard Horwitz. He made the kids look very grown up and I liked that a lot. It is a good book on multiple levels. The boys are trying to deal with the grief of the loss of a parent at the same time trying to adjust to a new stepparent. The girls having had more time for grief trying to get to know the boys and adjust to a new family. Everyone's loyalties are challenged. All this and a good mystery at the same time. I enjoyed rereading this book as an adult.

[Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little story. While some of the details within the tale point to its age (Original copyright 1957) and changed social norms, it is still a good story.

[Frankie Mahrle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't remember much, but I liked the cover. Maybe I learned something there.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of her ya books.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

picked this up on the winter of '77, as an 8 year old. Never read it. Now 41 years later. . . .great young adult mystery!

[Quiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read before?: Yes, a long long time ago.

Initial Recollections: I remember being very intrigued by this novel as a kid, and loving the mystery of the plot.

Book Review: 4/5 I think first and foremost it is important to mention that this book is a product of its time. It was written in the late 1950s and it shows. People who claim that it is an "ageless" book, must still think that some of the outdated terminology and slightly stereotypical views are okay today. That being said, while the dialogue of Hana (the Japanese neighbor, and friend to Jill) is outdated and stereotypically written, I was pleasantly surprised to see that was the only real stereotype and perhaps racist element of the book. So, readers must keep in mind that the terminology and accented dialogue is a product of its time, where unfortunately many people were ignorant of other cultures.

Additionally, you do get the stereotypical gendered roles of the mother vs. father and brothers vs. sisters in their daily lives and hobbies. But, to me that's something you get even in modern books and it wasn't over the top or problematic.

As for the characters and plot, they are really strong for a children's book. In some ways this novel gives me a Boxcar Children kind of vibe, but with a little more mystery. The family dynamic isn't simplistic and seems realistic, and it's fun to watch the characters develop as they get to know one another. For me, I think the plot could benefit from a little bit more mystery and intrigue, but for a children's novel it's not bad.

In general, I think this is a fun read for children. I also think it's important we don't hide books like this from children, so they can see how far we've come as a society regarding gender and culture.

[Danielle Routh · Rating 5 out of 5]

And it's not even Vintage Fiction Week!

This was one of my mom's books from her childhood that I read during my childhood and randomly thought of the other day, and man, not only does it hold up, but it's even better than I remembered.

The plot and mystery and writing are all excellent to begin with--Whitney is especially adept with her characterization, capturing the family dynamics with both nuance and empathy--but what really awes me is, despite being written in the '60s, the book's sensitivity regarding Hana and her family, who are housekeepers for the two sisters. Whitney was clearly well-versed in Japanese and Chinese culture and never submits to stereotypes--the closest thing is a racist caricature of a Chinese man, but it's part of a slam story that was intentionally meant to hurt Miss Lydia and her husband. Hana's speech is transliterated with Rs instead of Ls ("prease"), but it's never played for comedy; Jill surmises that she must have been born outside of the US, and she's correct as Hana emigrated from Japan with her mother. Another part I love is when Jill, Andy, and Adrian take a traditional Japanese meal with Hana and her family--the accuracy of customs and details is astounding for when it was written. Whitney clearly respects Asian culture, and that respect shines through her writing.

My only regret is that the copy I grew up with had rather dull cover art compared to other editions. I'm glad I remembered this one.

[José Van Rosmalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit boek is in het Nederlands vertaald als ‘ de geheimzinnige buren’ en in Nederland in 1960 uitgebracht in de Prisma juniores reeks. Het speelt in San Francisco in de jaren vijftig, een stad met veel heuvels waar ooit ( in 1906) een grote aardbeving plaatsvond. Het gegeven is dat een weduwnaar met twee zoons een relatie krijgt met een weduwe met twee dochters. Deze kinderen moeten aan elkaar wennen. Vlakbij hun woning ligt een villa met twee oude dames en inwonend personeel, waaronder een Japanse chauffeur met een dochter. De oudste van de twee zussen overheerst en betuttelt haar iets jongere gehandicapte zus. De kinderen worden aanvankelijk kwaadaardig bejegend maar weten op den duur het vertrouwen van de zussen te winnen. In een kamer vol rariteiten ontdekken zij een groene stenen poes die een geheim blijkt te verbergen. Een geheim dat van groot belang is voor de jongste zus en de nagedachtenis aan haar echtgenoot. Het verhaal eindigt in een happy end, waarbij de spanningen tussen de puberkinderen worden overbrugd. De schrijfster heeft meer dan een eeuw geleefd, ze is ruim 104 jaar geworden. Ik ben ooit in San Francisco geweest en herken een aantal genoemde locaties in deze mooi gelegen stad aan de Pacifische Oceaan.

[Swapna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book fulfilled my craving to read a vintage children’s mystery (which I read from time to time). Phyllis Whitney’s mystery written for children was way better than the only other book for grown-ups that I have read (Star Flight).

What I liked about the book was that the characters were all too human. Unlike other children’s books, the characters are neither too good nor plain bad. The family dynamics and tensions are portrayed very well – the father and mother getting used to their stepchildren and vice versa, the mother trying hard to be liked by the twins, quarrels between the siblings, scolding from the father, etc.
The children are also not portrayed as supersleuths. The mystery is not much and there is hardly any investigation or exploration. The title is misleading – the cat makes an appearance only at the end of the 13th chapter. Prior to that, it is just mentioned in the ramblings of an old lady. I was expecting a twist in the end, but it never came.

On the whole, it was a nice book. I wish more of Whitney’s books written for children were reprinted.

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this middle grade book! Phyllis A. Whitney is one of my favorite gothic novel authors and I never knew that she wrote children's books, too. She does a wonderful job writing for both young and older ages!

This story starts with a found family—Mr. Roger Dallas (who has twin boys, Andy and Adrian) marries Emily who has two daughters , Jill and Carol. Emily and the girls go to live with Roger in his San Francisco house, which is next door to an decaying old mansion that has a mystery attached.

The two older ladies who live there, The Baroness and her sister Mathilda, are eccentric and slightly reclusive. The kids meet up with the Japanese family who work for the ladies and this begins the Mystery of the Green Cat.

It was unexpected to feel so intrigued by this slim chapter book. I really enjoyed reading it and now I'll have to see if she's written any more books like this. Another win for Phyllis A. Whitney! If you love her gothic novels and also middle grade books, I encourage you to give this book a try! Definitely a keeper!

[[on hiatus, probably forever] The rockabilly werewolf from Mars · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, I was obsessed with mystery novels. I remember reading through every Famous Five, Nancy Drew, and Encyclopedia Brown book that the local library had, and buying cheap used copies from a nearby used book store with my allowance (this was the 2000s, so I guess my tastes were retro even as a kid, as I never had any interest in most of the books that were popular with my classmates). My favourite, however, was this one; which I still have my copy of (well, actually, I still have copies of all of my old mystery novels; I almost never get rid of my books), an old Scholastic Books copy that formerly belonged to my mother. I remember thinking that the cat on the back cover was really cool, and finding the solution quite satisfying (my favourite mystery stories were ones that featured secret compartments). They really don't write YA books like they used to, because I would take this over 99% of YA books published when I was in the right age bracket.