Secret of the Tiger's Eye

by Phyllis A. Whitney

Benita's African adventure really begins when she sees a tiger in her Aunt Persis' garden and their house guest, Joel, does not believe her

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Romance

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

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

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this so many times as a kid. It left me with a lifelong desire to go to Cape Town and endless fantasies of living in a home where
my room has a trap door and private spiral staircase to the library

[Lindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a reread from my childhood. I loved Phyllis A. Whitney when I was a girl. Who's even heard of her now? It actually held up. Young teen goes to Cape Town with her dad, younger brother and the son of her dad's editor, an "awful boy" about her age. Whitney doesn't shy away from the reality of apartheid which was becoming more and more restrictive in 1961. Yes, there are some gender stereotypes, and the mystery is a little lame but all in all, I'm impressed.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review soon

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, well plotted, and dealing with the complex political reality of early apartheid, this is a great YA mystery that really immerses you in South Africa. Indeed I think it’s probably a much better book than the adult book she wrote and set in the same city. It is still very much of its time and the rosy, optimistic view the MC has of race relations in the USA may not match the reality of the moment.

[James Nikkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great children’s introduction to South Africa’s apartheid history, clearly shows how racism is negatively affecting the characters and city without being too brutal, combines the allure of travel with a fun if not predictable mystery, set against a conflicted and unique city.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite mystery books, growing up. Set around the 50's, there is daring, chivalry, and a lot of suspense. Wish I had kept my old copy for my library today!

[Reading with Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery is pretty meh and I found Joel to be insufferable from first to last. But I adored Benita and the vivid descriptions of Cape Town.