The Phyllis A. Whitney Collection Volume Two: Woman Without a Past, The Red Carnelian, and Feather on the Moon

by Phyllis A. Whitney

A trio of romantic spellbinders from a New York Times–bestselling and Edgar Award–winning “master of suspense” (Mary Higgins Clark).   Three atmospheric psychological thrillers from the undisputed “Queen of the American gothics” (The New York Times).  Woman Without a Popular mystery novelist Molly Hunt has just made a stunning She’s the daughter of South Carolina blue bloods and was kidnapped as an infant from their plantation in Charleston. But her birth family is a strange brood and meeting them is not the happy reunion she expected. It’s only when Molly finds a letter from her late father that she comes to realize how much danger she’s in—and what it will take to escape the shadows of Mountfort Hall alive.  The Red Linell Wynn, copywriter for Chicago department store Cunningham’s, can put a clever spin on everything. But she’s at a loss for words when, after closing time, she finds the manager’s corpse in a window display. Considering her volatile history with the victim, she’s the number one suspect—until a second murder throws the store detective for a loop and plunges Linell into the investigation. Now she’s working after hours to find a killer, and she has more to lose than her job.  Feather on the It’s been seven years since Jennifer Blake’s daughter vanished, but she’s never given up hope of finding her. Then comes the call from a wealthy dowager a continent away who believes the girl living in her own home could be Jennifer’s long-lost child. When Jennifer arrives at the sprawling Vancouver Island estate she must navigate a maze of threatening secrets if she’s to find her daughter—and solve the most shattering mystery of all, locked away in the shadows of Radburn House.

Genres: Mystery

886 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2018

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

[Lynn]

I loved Phyllis A Whitney in my childhood. She was a favorite author and genre during my preteen years. However, trying to read this again I realized it was dated and I couldn't get into it the same way. I think I'd enjoy an updated, more modern version of whatever this author's works would be considered but I don't think I can recapture my excitement of reading these books that were written a long time ago.

[Gail Jenson Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine running into a friend you haven't seen in decades. Yet, after a few minutes together, those decades fall away and the two of you had only talked yesterday. That was my feeling picking up this collection. The reading was enriched by my journeys through those decades...I spent seven years on the other side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca on another island. I've been to some of those department stores with the wonderful windows. My re-reading of these old friends has given a new depth and richness to my enjoyment. I will visit again but not wait so long between visits.

[Vicki Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phyllis Whitney

The books were so well written, suspenseful, and would be rated PG. She proves that there is no reason to include profanity, etc to keep a reader's attention to the end.

[Tracey S Choat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timeless

I enjoyed re-reading Phyllis Whitney books that I read when I was young. Timeless classics. She has the gift of atmospheric suspense.

[Sharyn Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really so dated regarding race and other things warning pkease avoid. I didn’t even finish.

[Joy Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading Phyllis A Whitney again

Read her books when I was a teenager. Now I’m in my seventies & am rereading her books again. They are just as good as I remember them.

[ESTA SPECTOR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated Novels but worthwhile

There are three novels. Each good enough. The last one was the best. It was a good purchase as I keep Book Bub bargains for a rainy day read.

[Jennifer Wharton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent but a bit slow

I love Phyllis Whitney, but this book moved a bit slow. Good, though. Just not the her best. I'd recommend it for an easy read.

[Dyanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Phyllis Whitney's book for over half a century I enjoyed this group of books each one was a page-turner. Woman Without a Past: Molly Hunt is a writer who is also adopted, on a visit to her publisher she meets a gentleman who swears that she is the long-lost twin of his finance. Thus Molly begins an adventure that includes murder and mayhem as she meets her long-lost family.
The Red Carnelian takes place in a Cunningham's Department Store in Chicago where Linell Wynn is in charge of Sign Promotion. It becomes a dangerous place to work when Monty Montgomery, who was dating Linell, suddenly married Chris Gardner. He apparently had made some enemies because on the day he returned to work from his honeymoon he was murdered. From that point on everybody became a suspect and the working environment became a bit tense but quite dangerous for Linell.
Feather on the Moon is about the kidnapping of a 3-year name Debbie and what happens when her "adopted" mother presents her to her dead husband's grandmother who notified her real mom to come and see if it is her child. In true Phyllis Whitney style, the players in this story bring drama and suspense right up to the last chapter.