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Rainbow in the Mist
Desperate for peace and safety, Christy Loren flees from her psychic gifts to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the reassuring presence of her Aunt Nona. But in this peaceful place, something wicked hides. Here, Christy knows the blood-chilling dream that has haunted her will come to terrifying life. For someone will do anything to stop her from discovering the dark secret hidden in the mist...or the love that, like a rainbow, awaits.
From the Paperback edition.
From the Paperback edition.
309 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
119 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis A. Whitney
191 books573 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 52 reviews
April 18, 2022
This Phyllis A. Whitney story was very captivating. I would have liked to have read it in one sitting.
The setting for this story was the Mountains of Virginia. If you come from that part of the world, I hope the descriptions in this book did it justice.
Now, onto the next one.
The setting for this story was the Mountains of Virginia. If you come from that part of the world, I hope the descriptions in this book did it justice.
Now, onto the next one.
April 21, 2014
A nice old fashioned Gothic mystery/romance. This was an easy read and an entertaining one. The mystery was sustained throughout, partly because the guilty party was rather an unusual one and not easy to guess! This was a book to be enjoyed as light reading, not one to be analysed in any depth.
November 23, 2010
I sure miss Phyllis Whitney books, and Victoria Holt, too. Those old fashioned gothics!
May 18, 2025
This is a strange story, and definitely not my favorite of Whitney's; however, even with a strange and oftentimes confusing plotline and not the most likeable or relatable characters, Whitney's writing and her ability to place the reader in the setting makes it a great read. Just prepare yourself for a mystery you won't solve and an ending that'll leave you scratching your head.
September 25, 2021
Eh, weird book.
I’ve heard a lot about Phyllis A. Whitney, as an author recommended for people who like Mary Stewart. Well, except for ‘Touch Not the Cat’, none of Mary Stewart’s novels even come close to the sort of stuff going on in this book.
Vibes, crystals, seances, channeling, premonitions, rainbows, mists, sun wheels—every New Age gimmick you can possibly imagine is poured into this book and mashed up with a homogenized Native American character, a mention of a Hungarian grandmother, and at least six characters in a small town bearing some sort of psychic power. It was too vague and weird for me, and I generally like the suspense and fantasy genres. However Phyllis Whitney IS a good author because there’s no way I’d have got through that in the hands of a lesser one. I’m going to try again, and if you don’t mind the New Age hodge-podge, knock yourself out. Personally, I might spend my money on a different one first.
I’ve heard a lot about Phyllis A. Whitney, as an author recommended for people who like Mary Stewart. Well, except for ‘Touch Not the Cat’, none of Mary Stewart’s novels even come close to the sort of stuff going on in this book.
Vibes, crystals, seances, channeling, premonitions, rainbows, mists, sun wheels—every New Age gimmick you can possibly imagine is poured into this book and mashed up with a homogenized Native American character, a mention of a Hungarian grandmother, and at least six characters in a small town bearing some sort of psychic power. It was too vague and weird for me, and I generally like the suspense and fantasy genres. However Phyllis Whitney IS a good author because there’s no way I’d have got through that in the hands of a lesser one. I’m going to try again, and if you don’t mind the New Age hodge-podge, knock yourself out. Personally, I might spend my money on a different one first.
November 2, 2016
Abandoned this half way through. The writing style and story are just not for me.
June 12, 2011
*Shudder* Too creepy for me. I don't like reading about ghosts, spirits, seances, and I especially don't like reading about madness. Split personality disorder I find particularly frightening. Whitney definitely held my attention the whole time and even now that I've finished the book, I still feel cobwebs of creepiness lodged in my brain. I gave the book one star because of the disturbing factor rather than for the quality of the writing. I prefer my mysteries straightforward and less focused on evil and insanity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2011
Really interesting characters. Premise is a psychic runs off to "quiet" mountain home of her aunt to recover from the drain of chasing some serious criminals and frinding too many dead bodies. But the mountains hold secrets all their own...
I loved all the twists and turns, how everyone had secrets. NOTHING is black and white in this book! Definite page turner!
I loved all the twists and turns, how everyone had secrets. NOTHING is black and white in this book! Definite page turner!
January 10, 2019
I usually enjoy Phyllis Whitney for light suspense, modern gothic, but this one was a mess.
May 31, 2023
I probably shouldn't rate this, or the other Whitneys I'm (re)discovering, as high as I am. They're problematic in several ways. In this one, I tend to get hung up on a character's willingness - eagerness, in fact - to find a new lover when his beloved wife is missing, believed dead. And it's just as problematic that the new lover is perfectly ok with this same situation. Then, too, the level of what I've seen called "woo" is ... off the charts. I didn't remember this being such a pillar of Whitney's work; I believe my mom really liked these books, and I wonder what her deeply Catholic opinion was of the spirit guides and mediumship. Precognition would not have been hard for her to embrace; her youngest sister had prophetic dreams most of her life.
The reason I settle on four stars is simple, really. I've been having a very hard time settling on books lately. I saw these several Whitneys in Audible's free Plus selection, and took a flyer. I honestly don't recall if I ever read many of the PAW novels I picked up at library sales for Mom, but I immediately felt that settling-in-to-a-good-book feeling I've failed to find almost everywhere else I've tried lately. The narrator, Anna Fields, is solid - by which (paradoxically) I mean she vanishes into the text; there are no extraordinary or unexpected choices with the reading, which can sometimes serve more to remind me there's another person involved in reading this book than to enhance the story; there are no wild swings of emotion in tone of voice. Anna Fields delivers the story and lets me feel as I will feel about it. I like it.
As for the books themselves ... I am generally character-oriented, and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters that fill the book. The child is precocious, yet not annoying (there's a feat that's nearly miraculous); the rest of the cast is ambiguous enough to give me plenty of scope for suspicion of whodunnit, but not so sketchy that I can't believe they're innocent. And the main character, Christy, is sympathetic. I like her a lot.
The setting is really wonderful. PAW doesn't go into Tolkien-esque levels of description of the landscape (which would be fine with me, honestly, but people whine so about it), but her word paintings of this stunning area of Virginia leave an impression that almost amounts to hiraeth. I have to say I want Aunt Nona's studio - her whole home, in fact. Very much.
And I also really like the idea of the story, woo though it is. It's psychic-helping-police as it should be, but as far as I can tell never really is, and the toll taken on Christy is severe and realistic. Once I made the effort to manually adjust the dial to the correct level of suspension of disbelief, I had a lovely time with this book - and I never saw the ending coming till it was almost on me. I feel the urge to apologize to the character I pinned as the evil-doer (if evil exists) (it does) for most of the book - but I feel I was steered into believing in their guilt.
I was surprised at how well the writing has aged. The main thing that underlines the fact that this book doesn't take place now is the complete and utter lack of cell phones (and computers), but apart from that it has held up. The main thing that underlines the fact that the book wasn't written around now is the complete and utter lack of anything that would earn a more than PG rating. There is no profanity, no vulgarity even, and no sex (at least not right out in the open where a reader can see). Except for the, you know, murders, and the somewhat oblique discussion of infidelity, and depending on a parent's attitude toward the aforementioned woo, this is entirely appropriate for a teenaged reader.
The reason I settle on four stars is simple, really. I've been having a very hard time settling on books lately. I saw these several Whitneys in Audible's free Plus selection, and took a flyer. I honestly don't recall if I ever read many of the PAW novels I picked up at library sales for Mom, but I immediately felt that settling-in-to-a-good-book feeling I've failed to find almost everywhere else I've tried lately. The narrator, Anna Fields, is solid - by which (paradoxically) I mean she vanishes into the text; there are no extraordinary or unexpected choices with the reading, which can sometimes serve more to remind me there's another person involved in reading this book than to enhance the story; there are no wild swings of emotion in tone of voice. Anna Fields delivers the story and lets me feel as I will feel about it. I like it.
As for the books themselves ... I am generally character-oriented, and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters that fill the book. The child is precocious, yet not annoying (there's a feat that's nearly miraculous); the rest of the cast is ambiguous enough to give me plenty of scope for suspicion of whodunnit, but not so sketchy that I can't believe they're innocent. And the main character, Christy, is sympathetic. I like her a lot.
The setting is really wonderful. PAW doesn't go into Tolkien-esque levels of description of the landscape (which would be fine with me, honestly, but people whine so about it), but her word paintings of this stunning area of Virginia leave an impression that almost amounts to hiraeth. I have to say I want Aunt Nona's studio - her whole home, in fact. Very much.
And I also really like the idea of the story, woo though it is. It's psychic-helping-police as it should be, but as far as I can tell never really is, and the toll taken on Christy is severe and realistic. Once I made the effort to manually adjust the dial to the correct level of suspension of disbelief, I had a lovely time with this book - and I never saw the ending coming till it was almost on me. I feel the urge to apologize to the character I pinned as the evil-doer (if evil exists) (it does) for most of the book - but I feel I was steered into believing in their guilt.
I was surprised at how well the writing has aged. The main thing that underlines the fact that this book doesn't take place now is the complete and utter lack of cell phones (and computers), but apart from that it has held up. The main thing that underlines the fact that the book wasn't written around now is the complete and utter lack of anything that would earn a more than PG rating. There is no profanity, no vulgarity even, and no sex (at least not right out in the open where a reader can see). Except for the, you know, murders, and the somewhat oblique discussion of infidelity, and depending on a parent's attitude toward the aforementioned woo, this is entirely appropriate for a teenaged reader.
August 6, 2022
In "Rainbow in the Mist" Phyllis A. Whitney took a turn to the New Age in a mystery about a young woman, Christy Loren, who must learn to accept and use the inherited psychic power she's always avoided in order to resolve a set of mysteries surrounding a tightly knit group of neighbors in a rural Central Virginia community. Whitney alternates chapters with brief commentaries from within the mind of the person responsible for the turmoil, a creepy device that helps maintain the suspense. While the final resolution was not ultimately a surprise, it did take a few twists to get there. As she entered her fifth decade of writing romantic suspense novels, "Rainbow in the Mist" shows the prolific Whitney trying out something new, with solid results.
June 17, 2011
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
I've read quite a few books by Phyllis Whitney over the years and, as I started into this one, I realized I had already read it several years ago. Unfortunately, because of this, I knew who the culprit was fairly early on and what the motives were for the strange happenings. But, luckily, I couldn't remember everything that happened in the story, so I was able to enjoy it all over again. Ms. Whitney remains one of my favourite gothic mystery authors and her writing succeeded once again in creating a tense, compelling atmosphere.
I've read quite a few books by Phyllis Whitney over the years and, as I started into this one, I realized I had already read it several years ago. Unfortunately, because of this, I knew who the culprit was fairly early on and what the motives were for the strange happenings. But, luckily, I couldn't remember everything that happened in the story, so I was able to enjoy it all over again. Ms. Whitney remains one of my favourite gothic mystery authors and her writing succeeded once again in creating a tense, compelling atmosphere.
August 21, 2016
Rainbow In The Mist by Phyllis A Whitney was a relaxing yet interesting mystery to read while flying to Park City, Utah. The story centers around people with psychic abilities and is so well told, the reader goes right along with the psychic stuff. Doubts are quashed as we identify completely with the heroine.
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September 25, 2008F Whi
January 12, 2009
Another thirller. She is an old author but always gives you a good beach read.
May 4, 2014
Perfect read for my beach vacation. I didn't guess the ending at all, so that was intriguing. The characters were varied and interestingly portrayed. I liked it.
May 20, 2014
a good read. very surprised at the end.
July 5, 2022
2.75 maybe?
I've been disappointed in reading much loved authors' later works and this is the case here. I read Phyllis A Whitney's children's mysteries when I was a kid and then graduated to her gothic-y romantic suspense in my teens. It's been decades since I read anything by her and discovered this book on audible plus so thought I'd give it a whirl.
Meh. Didn't care for the heavy mysticism, much of which was quite a stretch even for mystics, and the romance involved a married man (unhappily so, but still...) The mystery did have a not-seen-by-me twist at the end but, over all, not the kind of captivating story I remember from my youth. lol Maybe I'm just jaded, or have blown out of proportion memories of the kind of mysteries this author writes.
I've been disappointed in reading much loved authors' later works and this is the case here. I read Phyllis A Whitney's children's mysteries when I was a kid and then graduated to her gothic-y romantic suspense in my teens. It's been decades since I read anything by her and discovered this book on audible plus so thought I'd give it a whirl.
Meh. Didn't care for the heavy mysticism, much of which was quite a stretch even for mystics, and the romance involved a married man (unhappily so, but still...) The mystery did have a not-seen-by-me twist at the end but, over all, not the kind of captivating story I remember from my youth. lol Maybe I'm just jaded, or have blown out of proportion memories of the kind of mysteries this author writes.
January 25, 2026
Another old one, but not one of her best. This had rather a silly story and was mixed up with psychic abilities and seeing things which didn’t really work somehow. A very strange ending as well. The best part was the description of the area and the countryside which is always a good feature of her books.
May 22, 2023
It was something to pass the time while working. It was gothic for it’s time I guess :)
June 26, 2010
Phyllis Whitney is an old author and I like most of her books. They're good reads, although may not be the best books you've ever read. They are mysteries and usually have some romantic thing going on between the main character, which is usually a woman, and one of the male characters. I like to go to Goodwill to look for books, and the last time I went found about 4 or 5 of her books so bought them. This was a good book, not really a favorite, but a quick, nice read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2020
Christy Loren has a "gift," she can touch an object and see visions about the person who possessed it. She has guided the police to the bodies of several murder victims, but her ability has taken a personal toll and she just wants to rest. She goes to visit her aunt in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains only to find herself trying to locate a missing woman. Can she find Deirdre and aid her tormented husband and son, or will she again arrive too late?
April 15, 2011
I found this book entertaining. Chewed through it easily in one evening. After reading more intense and epic stories, this was a welcome diversion. The language was simple and the story straightforward without giving away the mystery.
I think my favourite aspect of this book would have to be the intense mood it set, which was very consistent throughout. It was an evening well spent.
I think my favourite aspect of this book would have to be the intense mood it set, which was very consistent throughout. It was an evening well spent.
May 22, 2023
La descripción de los paisajes en la que se desarrolla la historia se leen antojables.
Es una lectura sencilla con una historia que atrapa a cada momento, ya que no da pistas certeras de qué sucederá a la vuelta de la página.
Es una lectura sencilla con una historia que atrapa a cada momento, ya que no da pistas certeras de qué sucederá a la vuelta de la página.
August 11, 2008
Need to re-read this, it's been a long long time.
February 20, 2009
This was a book for our book club...just any book by Phyllis Whitney. It was pretty good. It wasn't my favorite.
January 3, 2022
This book was highly recommended to me by a romance author/used bookseller during a discussion about missing romance mystery books where the story was the focus, rather than graphic sex scenes. Yes, I’m older and nostalgic for talented writers like Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt.
Out of many, many books she could have recommended, this one was pulled off the shelf and described as superlatively unforgettable. I remembered reading and liking Phyllis Whitney books a long time ago and she has won many awards. Therefore my expectations were very high.
I was disappointed early on in the book. I found the main character, Christy, difficult to understand or empathize with. In fact, all of the characters in the book are unlikable. I enjoy books far more when I can care about the main character, so I knew this wouldn’t become a favorite for me.
More objectively, I found the writing messy. It felt jerky and uneven. I’ve already said the characters were unlikable, but I also feel this was partly because they were poorly drawn and acted in inexplicable ways. The llamas were introduced but then not used as effectively as they might have been.
On the positive side, the descriptions of the Blue Ridge Mountains are spectacular. The mystery did pull me in and I wanted to read to the end to learn what happened. It’s an okay book to spend a cold winter night with, but I don’t think it’s one of the greats.
Out of many, many books she could have recommended, this one was pulled off the shelf and described as superlatively unforgettable. I remembered reading and liking Phyllis Whitney books a long time ago and she has won many awards. Therefore my expectations were very high.
I was disappointed early on in the book. I found the main character, Christy, difficult to understand or empathize with. In fact, all of the characters in the book are unlikable. I enjoy books far more when I can care about the main character, so I knew this wouldn’t become a favorite for me.
More objectively, I found the writing messy. It felt jerky and uneven. I’ve already said the characters were unlikable, but I also feel this was partly because they were poorly drawn and acted in inexplicable ways. The llamas were introduced but then not used as effectively as they might have been.
On the positive side, the descriptions of the Blue Ridge Mountains are spectacular. The mystery did pull me in and I wanted to read to the end to learn what happened. It’s an okay book to spend a cold winter night with, but I don’t think it’s one of the greats.
August 15, 2020
A must read for any can of Phyllis Whitney!
This book took you places you never expected! I just knew who was doing all of the bad stuff til the last few chapters! Was I ever surprised!! Whitney was one of the queens of Romantic Suspense back in the day and this is a wonderful example of it. This one, however veered off of the Romantic Suspense highway. There is a sprinkling of paranormal activities as well as mysticism which only added to the plot. Mental health issues are also involved but they are all well done and for a reason. This is a book that will make you think. I enjoyed it.
This book took you places you never expected! I just knew who was doing all of the bad stuff til the last few chapters! Was I ever surprised!! Whitney was one of the queens of Romantic Suspense back in the day and this is a wonderful example of it. This one, however veered off of the Romantic Suspense highway. There is a sprinkling of paranormal activities as well as mysticism which only added to the plot. Mental health issues are also involved but they are all well done and for a reason. This is a book that will make you think. I enjoyed it.
July 18, 2024
Rainbow in the Mist by Phyllis A. Whitney
Christy has psychic abilities, she sees visions of people and events that occur. As she tries to unravel a mystery, and several deaths in a small Mountain town.
The story moves at a steady pace, with likable characters, interesting plot, with a few twist and turns. Descriptive details and engaging dialog pulled me in fro the start.
I truly enjoyed Rainbow in the Mist and recommend to those who enjoy murder/mystery with paranormal undertones and a splash of romance. A good read.
Christy has psychic abilities, she sees visions of people and events that occur. As she tries to unravel a mystery, and several deaths in a small Mountain town.
The story moves at a steady pace, with likable characters, interesting plot, with a few twist and turns. Descriptive details and engaging dialog pulled me in fro the start.
I truly enjoyed Rainbow in the Mist and recommend to those who enjoy murder/mystery with paranormal undertones and a splash of romance. A good read.
October 21, 2019
As the front cover blurb by Barbara Michaels states, "Phyllis Whitney is, and always will be, the Grand Master of her craft."! This book is yet another example of the "Grand Master" at her best. The characters are compelling & the supernatural is handled superbly and believably. I also happen to think Barbara Michaels is a Grand Master of this genre & found it interesting that, at one point, the heroine takes out a Barbara Michaels book to read. Nice touch & nice homage!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews