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Feather on the Moon
"A well-told story, one of Ms. Whitney's best."
THE CHATTANOOGA TIMES
Seven years after her child had been taken from her, Jennifer Blake received an invitation from wealthy Corinthea Arles, who clamed to have found her daughter. From the moment Jennifer arrived at Mrs. Arles's luxurious estate on Vancouver Island, she was caught up in events beyond her control and surrounded by people who were not what they seemed. Amid a maze of family intrigues, buried secets, and unexpected romance, Jennifer Blake was determined to uncover the truth about her lost daughter--despite the very real danger that lay in wait....
From the Paperback edition.
THE CHATTANOOGA TIMES
Seven years after her child had been taken from her, Jennifer Blake received an invitation from wealthy Corinthea Arles, who clamed to have found her daughter. From the moment Jennifer arrived at Mrs. Arles's luxurious estate on Vancouver Island, she was caught up in events beyond her control and surrounded by people who were not what they seemed. Amid a maze of family intrigues, buried secets, and unexpected romance, Jennifer Blake was determined to uncover the truth about her lost daughter--despite the very real danger that lay in wait....
From the Paperback edition.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
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About the author
Phyllis A. Whitney
191 books569 followersPhyllis 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 10, 2020
This was a later Whitney, and is one of her contemporaries (although it feels historical at this point, having been published all the way back in 1988). I've been making my way through the Open Road reissues, and while I still have several left, I have passed the midpoint. I'm going to be sad when I've read (or reread - it's been so long that I don't know which ones I've read and which ones I haven't) all of them.
I'm quite certain, however, that I hadn't read this one since I was in college when it was published and I had long since moved on from the gothic romance of my youth. I'm going to estimate that I quit reading this style of fiction in around 1980, maybe 1981 at the latest.
This was one of the last books that Whitney wrote, and it's not one of her best. I hadn't really been aware that she started adding an undercurrent of what I sometimes call "woo-woo" to her books around things like reincarnation, ESP, etc. It's all very 1980's and has the effect of dating the narrative in a very specific way. Of course, she was also 85 (oh, my, god, 85!) when it was published, and confronting her own mortality (although she lived for another two decades to the ripe old age of 105, so maybe she wasn't actually confronting her own mortality). Also, she wrote seven MORE books after this one. Holy crap.
Overall, though, I'd say that this one hasn't aged particularly well. The kidnapping story was very problematic, with Whitney glossing over the trauma. The romance came out of left field, as they do seem to do in these older gothics, but this one even more than usual. When Jenny and the romantic lead get together in the last few pages it is even more implausible than usual.
The setting of Victoria, British Columbia is well done, though, as Whitney's settings usually are, and the main character is likeable and has a lot of independence. A solid 3 stars - I liked it, but it didn't knock my socks off.
I'm quite certain, however, that I hadn't read this one since I was in college when it was published and I had long since moved on from the gothic romance of my youth. I'm going to estimate that I quit reading this style of fiction in around 1980, maybe 1981 at the latest.
This was one of the last books that Whitney wrote, and it's not one of her best. I hadn't really been aware that she started adding an undercurrent of what I sometimes call "woo-woo" to her books around things like reincarnation, ESP, etc. It's all very 1980's and has the effect of dating the narrative in a very specific way. Of course, she was also 85 (oh, my, god, 85!) when it was published, and confronting her own mortality (although she lived for another two decades to the ripe old age of 105, so maybe she wasn't actually confronting her own mortality). Also, she wrote seven MORE books after this one. Holy crap.
Overall, though, I'd say that this one hasn't aged particularly well. The kidnapping story was very problematic, with Whitney glossing over the trauma. The romance came out of left field, as they do seem to do in these older gothics, but this one even more than usual. When Jenny and the romantic lead get together in the last few pages it is even more implausible than usual.
The setting of Victoria, British Columbia is well done, though, as Whitney's settings usually are, and the main character is likeable and has a lot of independence. A solid 3 stars - I liked it, but it didn't knock my socks off.
October 17, 2019
This oldie mystery by a master, Phyllis A. Whitney, shows its' age in the tech advances that have taken place in the last years. The whole mystery would have been solved by a simple DNA test now. Still, it was a great story and Whitney writes Victoria, B.C. so vividly you feel just like you are there.
Jennifer Blake's daughter was kidnapped seven years ago and she has never given up hope of finding her. When she is contacted by Corinthea Arles, a wealthy woman who claims to have found her daughter, Jennifer is on the first flight to Victoria, B.C. What she finds there is a mystery, a conundrum and a can of worms. And Alice. The little girl is not at all how Jennifer thought she would have grown up to be. Could this child really be her missing daughter. The couple claiming to be her parents are strange, to say the least. For that matter, the everyone in the household is strange, except for the driver, who appears to have secrets. Alice's parents claim she is the long lost great-great granddaughter of Mrs. Arles. Mrs. Arles isn't so sure and having seen a magazine article featuring Debby Blake, she is convinced that is who the child really is. Jennifer wants only the truth and will not stop until she gets it.
Jennifer Blake's daughter was kidnapped seven years ago and she has never given up hope of finding her. When she is contacted by Corinthea Arles, a wealthy woman who claims to have found her daughter, Jennifer is on the first flight to Victoria, B.C. What she finds there is a mystery, a conundrum and a can of worms. And Alice. The little girl is not at all how Jennifer thought she would have grown up to be. Could this child really be her missing daughter. The couple claiming to be her parents are strange, to say the least. For that matter, the everyone in the household is strange, except for the driver, who appears to have secrets. Alice's parents claim she is the long lost great-great granddaughter of Mrs. Arles. Mrs. Arles isn't so sure and having seen a magazine article featuring Debby Blake, she is convinced that is who the child really is. Jennifer wants only the truth and will not stop until she gets it.
November 17, 2018
Abandoned. I just couldn't get into this.
January 12, 2023
Jennifer Blake's 3 year old daughter, Debbie, was kidnapped from the grocery store. It is now 7 years later, and Jennifer has received a letter from an elderly lady in British Columbia who thinks a couple is pretending that her supposed grandchild who was born in Brazil is really Debbie. Jennifer flies to BC to see if she can find anything that will point to Alice really being her daughter.
Phyllis Whitney was one of the early mystery writers in the 1940's to pen suspense novels, and they are still enjoyable today. With a touch of gothic, her books focus on well to do families with large mansions. This story takes the reader around and around as a clue points to Alice as Debbie and then another points to her being Corinthea Arles granddaughter. Also who is the couple who claim to be her mother and stepfather along with the new chauffeur who seems to hide his real identify?
An enjoyable, old fashioned suspense novel that is an easy read.
Phyllis Whitney was one of the early mystery writers in the 1940's to pen suspense novels, and they are still enjoyable today. With a touch of gothic, her books focus on well to do families with large mansions. This story takes the reader around and around as a clue points to Alice as Debbie and then another points to her being Corinthea Arles granddaughter. Also who is the couple who claim to be her mother and stepfather along with the new chauffeur who seems to hide his real identify?
An enjoyable, old fashioned suspense novel that is an easy read.
January 1, 2011
This was one of the last books Phyllis A. Whitney wrote, and it was quite enjoyable. I realized, partway in, that I had read it some time ago ... but I had forgotten enough of it that I still enjoyed the suspense.
In this tale, Jennifer Blake's daughter, Debbie, is abducted from a grocery store. Seven years after the abduction, she is contacted (via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) by a wealthy Canadian woman who thinks that the girl presented as her great-granddaughter may be Debbie.
So, of course, Jennifer goes to Canada to see whether this is so. She wavers between "aye and nay" for a good part of the book, as things are not at all what they seem in the well-to-do Arles household.
Highly enjoyable for those who enjoy mysteries with a hint of "clean" romance.
In this tale, Jennifer Blake's daughter, Debbie, is abducted from a grocery store. Seven years after the abduction, she is contacted (via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) by a wealthy Canadian woman who thinks that the girl presented as her great-granddaughter may be Debbie.
So, of course, Jennifer goes to Canada to see whether this is so. She wavers between "aye and nay" for a good part of the book, as things are not at all what they seem in the well-to-do Arles household.
Highly enjoyable for those who enjoy mysteries with a hint of "clean" romance.
April 18, 2025
Phyllis A. Whitney is an absolute master of her craft, and Feather on the Moon is a perfect example of her ability to weave a deeply moving story, surprise, and suspense into a perfectly crafted mystery.
May 10, 2012
Feather on the Moon is the story of Jennifer Blake a young widow who a year after her husband is killed mountain climbing, suffers the loss of their three year old daughter who is kidnapped. Now seven years later she receives an invitation from a Corinthia Arles to come to Victoria, British Columbia. The elderly, wealthy Mrs. Arles thinks "Alice," who is supposed to be her great-granddaughter, could be Jenny's long lost "Debbie." Mrs. Arles wants proof before she changes her will to include Alice. Unfortunately Jenny has no proof that would hold up in a court of law. There are many twists and turns, mysteries to unravel, secrets to uncover.
August 12, 2016
Jennifer Blake's three-year-old child was kidnapped seven years ago. She has almost given up hope of ever finding her again. Then she receives a mysterious phone call from Vancouver Island. The wealthy Corinthea Arles thinks the child that is being presented to her as her great-granddaughter and heir is Jennifer's Debbie. Determined to find the truth Jennifer finds herself in the middle of a family in crisis with secrets they want kept at any cost. Fans of Whitney, of which I will admit I am one, will enjoy this book.
June 13, 2011
This is so far the best Whitney adult novel I've read. Though I probably would give it 3.5 stars instead of four. She places the novel in Victoria, BC and brings in enough of the city to make me want to visit. I found the characters interesting and the story riveting. I along with the heroine, Jenny, was dying to know if Alice was really her long lost daughter. The story was good enough to make me want to continue to give Phyllis Whitney a try.
May 10, 2012
Twists and turns in every chapter. Just when I thought I had the mystery solved there was a new piece of information or someone had a hidden secret that changed the story. I liked the descriptions of the places that were visited, the tales of the Indians and the creation of the totems. I am now interested in researching Victoria, British Columbia and perhaps visiting there if any of the setting is real.
August 3, 2022
Seven years after her toddler was kidnapped from a Connecticut grocery store, widowed Jennifer Blake receives a call from wealthy Corinthia Arles of Victoria, British Columbia. A child who has recently taken up residence there may be her long-lost great-granddaughter—or it may be Jennifer's missing daughter. Thus begins "Feather on the Moon," a satisfying story about Jennifer's journey to discover the truth, set amidst the garden enclave of this Canadian island. Because of the time that has elapsed, Jennifer can't immediately decide if the now-10 year old child is her missing daughter. As other reviewers have pointed out, today a DNA test would've solved the mystery right away; but in this late 80s thriller, the reader goes along for the journey, relying on other methods. Whitney peppers the story with additional plot twists and a red herring—and, as was her wont in her 80s novels—a slower-paced possibility of romance than in her earlier novels. In this case, the novel is more about familial love than romantic love, just like the previous "Silversword," and that works well here.
January 21, 2016
In this book, the action kicked in right away. All the characters were very interesting, obviously were covering up secrets, were all suspicious of one another - and the revelations just kept coming!
Almost all of it took place in Victoria, British Columbia. I enjoyed the descriptions of the city and places in it and nearby, as well as the background provided. I consider this to be one of the best books by Phyllis A. Whitney.
Almost all of it took place in Victoria, British Columbia. I enjoyed the descriptions of the city and places in it and nearby, as well as the background provided. I consider this to be one of the best books by Phyllis A. Whitney.
September 29, 2012
Not bad. Lots of surprising connections which I didn't guess ahead of time. This was written more than 20 years ago and the story is about determining whether a child is the kidnapped child of the main character. I kept thinking a dna test would solve all this pretty quickly. Science has progressed.
January 5, 2013
Okay, I admit it. I'm a sucker for old-fashioned character-driven suspense. Pure indulgent escapism.
September 25, 2025
Am enjoying re-reading some of my older books. Phyllis Whitney always writes well and pulls you into the story.
August 22, 2013
While the book was entertaining enough to keep me reading to the end, there are a LOT of plot holes and a LOT of unbelievable moments. So Jenny's daughter was kidnapped 7 years ago and she's now in Victoria to see if she recognizes this little girl that Corinthea thinks may be Jenny's daughter.
When was this supposed to take place? There are airplanes and cars and closed-caption televisions, but nobody's ever heard of a DNA test? Why on earth would Jenny need to stay in Victoria so long to wait for some sort of proof to present itself? And when the "proof" finally arrives, it's an old newspaper clipping proving that Alice Arles died? What kind of proof is that of the girl in that house being HER daughter? None. And without proper death certificates, I doubt a newspaper article would count anyway.
From the sounds of it there were plenty of opportunities to take a hair from Alice's hairbrush or pillow or a swab from her toothbrush and have it tested. That would have been in both Jenny and Corinthea's best interest. So WHY all the drama? And when Corinthea makes her "decision" to accept Alice as her great granddaughter and send Jenny away, WHY would Jenny simply accept that? Why does Corinthea get to "decide" if Alice is or is not Debbie? Call the police! Have them come and investigate and then they could determine things. Is the author implying that Canadian police are so backwards they couldn't do this? And American police have no reach into Canada in order to help? In my opinion, that little girl was left FAR too often in a position where her pseudo-parents could have whisked her away any time they felt the jig was up! Police would have kept everyone from making any kind of moves until her identity was confirmed either way.
And I don't care how hypnotic Lethia could have been or how weak-minded Peony was. Simply putting her in a room with soothing music and asking her questions was enough to make her admit a secret she'd kept for 7 years? One that would result in her losing the "daughter" she wanted so badly? No way. Not buying it. At least record her confession and then have the police on hand THEN! But no, they listened to her confession and drove her straight back to the house where Alice was so she could panic and run, kidnapping the child all over again! Really?
And then at the end, this nice romance is sparking between Jenny and Kirk and.... she's ready to move her parents to another country, move in with him, marry him and let him be a father to her long-lost daughter? After one kiss? Puh-leeeeeeze!
And what's with Uncle Tim? Okay, he's deaf and his sister ignores him and pretends he's just addle-minded or something. Nobody else he's ever met could tell he was deaf? He knew how to read and write. Why couldn't he write a note to a lawyer and insist on receiving his half of the inheritance from his and Corinthea's parents? Why could no doctor over his many long years ever recommend he see a specialist and learn sign language? Why couldn't he take his own money and move to his own home and take care of himself? He could cook - they said so in the book. He could read. He was smart. Why did he spend 50+ years being treated like a handicapped family embarrassment?
And to top it all off, we have yet another writer in desperate need of an editor. How books can be published in this day and age with typos and grammar mistakes is beyond my comprehension!
When was this supposed to take place? There are airplanes and cars and closed-caption televisions, but nobody's ever heard of a DNA test? Why on earth would Jenny need to stay in Victoria so long to wait for some sort of proof to present itself? And when the "proof" finally arrives, it's an old newspaper clipping proving that Alice Arles died? What kind of proof is that of the girl in that house being HER daughter? None. And without proper death certificates, I doubt a newspaper article would count anyway.
From the sounds of it there were plenty of opportunities to take a hair from Alice's hairbrush or pillow or a swab from her toothbrush and have it tested. That would have been in both Jenny and Corinthea's best interest. So WHY all the drama? And when Corinthea makes her "decision" to accept Alice as her great granddaughter and send Jenny away, WHY would Jenny simply accept that? Why does Corinthea get to "decide" if Alice is or is not Debbie? Call the police! Have them come and investigate and then they could determine things. Is the author implying that Canadian police are so backwards they couldn't do this? And American police have no reach into Canada in order to help? In my opinion, that little girl was left FAR too often in a position where her pseudo-parents could have whisked her away any time they felt the jig was up! Police would have kept everyone from making any kind of moves until her identity was confirmed either way.
And I don't care how hypnotic Lethia could have been or how weak-minded Peony was. Simply putting her in a room with soothing music and asking her questions was enough to make her admit a secret she'd kept for 7 years? One that would result in her losing the "daughter" she wanted so badly? No way. Not buying it. At least record her confession and then have the police on hand THEN! But no, they listened to her confession and drove her straight back to the house where Alice was so she could panic and run, kidnapping the child all over again! Really?
And then at the end, this nice romance is sparking between Jenny and Kirk and.... she's ready to move her parents to another country, move in with him, marry him and let him be a father to her long-lost daughter? After one kiss? Puh-leeeeeeze!
And what's with Uncle Tim? Okay, he's deaf and his sister ignores him and pretends he's just addle-minded or something. Nobody else he's ever met could tell he was deaf? He knew how to read and write. Why couldn't he write a note to a lawyer and insist on receiving his half of the inheritance from his and Corinthea's parents? Why could no doctor over his many long years ever recommend he see a specialist and learn sign language? Why couldn't he take his own money and move to his own home and take care of himself? He could cook - they said so in the book. He could read. He was smart. Why did he spend 50+ years being treated like a handicapped family embarrassment?
And to top it all off, we have yet another writer in desperate need of an editor. How books can be published in this day and age with typos and grammar mistakes is beyond my comprehension!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2014
I have very fond memories of some of the older Phyllis Whitney books. My mother is a huge fan of this author, and I remember having some of her books handed down to me in middle school and high school. Somehow I missed out on Whitney's later works, so when I saw Feather on the Moon at the UBS, I was thrilled to pick up a book by Whitney that I hadn't read before.
This one isn't her best effort, but it's not a bad read. I suspect that if I had read it back in the 90s, I probably would have enjoyed it more. Much in this book hinges on the heroine's child having been kidnapped and said heroine being unable to prove that a child she is introduced to years later is or is not her lost daughter. Nowadays, a simple DNA test would clear that up, so I kept having to remind myself of when this book was written.
Mystery child aside, the rest of the story is a pleasant enough read. Whitney used some wonderful settings in her writing, and the glimpse of Victoria, British Columbia that we get in this book certainly made me want to go explore there. The romance in this book feels a little forced, but the "creepy family full of secrets" gothic plot makes for entertaining reading. All in all, this isn't the best gothic novel I've ever read but it's far from being the worst.
This one isn't her best effort, but it's not a bad read. I suspect that if I had read it back in the 90s, I probably would have enjoyed it more. Much in this book hinges on the heroine's child having been kidnapped and said heroine being unable to prove that a child she is introduced to years later is or is not her lost daughter. Nowadays, a simple DNA test would clear that up, so I kept having to remind myself of when this book was written.
Mystery child aside, the rest of the story is a pleasant enough read. Whitney used some wonderful settings in her writing, and the glimpse of Victoria, British Columbia that we get in this book certainly made me want to go explore there. The romance in this book feels a little forced, but the "creepy family full of secrets" gothic plot makes for entertaining reading. All in all, this isn't the best gothic novel I've ever read but it's far from being the worst.
May 30, 2008
If you haven't read any of Phyllis A. Whitney's books- they are very much like Mary Higgins Clark's books- good, clean, mysteries. I believe she wrote them in the 1960's, but many libraries still have them. The only book of hers that I didn't like was "the Demon Lover". It was completely different than all of her other books, and I don't recommend it- I should have realized that from the title, but since her other books had been safe, I didn't worry about it.
January 4, 2018
Jenny lost her child while shopping. It was the ploy where one person kept her from her child and the other stole the child. She finds her child and a world of intrigue where the people who stole her daughter are trying to convince a very elderly lady who is very wealthy that this is her granddaughter through her deceased grandson. The book is confusing because anyone looking at the cover would think that the book is romance when it truly is not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 18, 2013Some things are not as what you expected or thought. I had already got the feeling that Kirk was Edward. Just couldn't understand how no one else realized that. Especially his wife. Was a bit annoyed that Jenny just couldn't get Law involved to get her Daughter back once she found her. Good ending to the story.
October 11, 2007
I picked this book up, thought, "I don't remember reading this." As I got into it, I remembered parts of it, but didn't remember all of it. I stayed up til almost 2 a.m. this morning & I had to get up & teach an exercise class.
November 7, 2008
A typical fun ride from Whitney !
March 11, 2011
Like this author
September 7, 2016
Another oldie I read back in the late 80's and would recommend to anyone who loves mystery, and suspense filled novels. This one fits the bill.
April 20, 2012
A good mystery with interesting characters set in beautiful Victoria, BC - makes me want to visit there again.
September 9, 2012
Awesome book many surprises. Loved it didn't want to put it down
January 26, 2013
A reminder as to why I liked her a teenager. Good descriptions and likeable characters with a good mystery and surprises.
April 17, 2013
Good book. A little drawn out, but well written and the suspense was very good.
April 7, 2014
I read this book many years ago, when I was in high school. I still sometimes think of the story, and reading something else from this author.
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April 4, 2015Well written. Good story. Interesting characters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews