Secret of the Spotted Shell

by Phyllis A. Whitney

While her father, a bridge builder, is working in Portugal, Wendy Williams goes to the Virgin Islands to live with distant cousins. On her arrival she is puzzled and disappointed to find no one is there to meet her. What could have happened? A friendly stewardess takes Wendy to Mears Manor where she meets Mark Mears, whose mother runs the hotel, and makes friends with Anita, a Negro Islander, and her grandmother. From them she learns that her cousin, Gordon Cole, is missing on a helicopter flight he took to rescue a friend lost in Vietnam, and that Marion, his wife, has been hospitalized with shock at the news of Gordon's disappearance. When Uncle Paul and Aunt Elinor bring Marion home from the hospital, Wendy joins them at the Villa Mimosa. But she couldn't have arrived at a more upsetting time. Marion has shut herself up in her bedroom. Aunt Elinor spends her time crying and worrying over Marion. Only Uncle Paul seems concerned about Wendy and tries to befriend her. Everyone hopes Wendy will be able to bring Marion "out of herself," but everything Wendy does only seems to make matters worse. How can she make this her new home when Aunt Elinor and Marion so obviously don't want her here?

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1974

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

[Dayna Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Whitney's many mysteries for young readers, this is a charming tale of suspense, mystery, and a family's need to stick together. Twelve-year-old Wendy is sent to live on St. Thomas with distant relatives while her father is building a bridge in Portugal. She arrives to discover that tragedy has struck her new family and the welcome she expected may not be forthcoming. She also discovers a mystery surrounding a spotted shell that everyone seems to want. Can she discover the secret of the spotted shell? Will she ever be a part of this new family? Will they ever accept her or will she once again have to move somewhere else? A great story, especially if you love Whitney. Her work is as good for young readers as it is for adults.

[Deuce Naftel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many, many years ago. I was probably too young because I remember being very confused by certain aspects of the story. Our library had a give-away of sea shells recently and it made me think of the book. We don't have it in our system any more so I ordered it used. I understood the book much better now! It was a fun read, and interesting comparing what I had remembered about the book with what is actually in the book.

[Tally Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as a child and it left enough of an impression 20 years later.