Phyllis Whitney

Phyllis A. Whitney was a highly regarded American novelist, known for her mystery novels, gothic fiction, and romantic suspense stories. She was born in Japan in 1903 to American parents and spent her early years in Asia. Whitney wrote more than seventy novels, with her stories often featuring exotic locations, a reflection of her own experiences growing up in a foreign land.

Throughout her long and successful career, Whitney's works were well-received by both critics and the general public. She was particularly known for her engaging narratives, well-developed characters, and her ability to create a sense of suspense that kept readers hooked until the very end. In fact, her writing was so highly regarded that she reached the top of the bestseller lists on numerous occasions and even earned the title of "The Queen of the American Gothics" by The New York Times.

Despite this title, Whitney preferred to be known as a romantic suspense author, disliking the gothic label. She wrote books for both adults and young adults, with two of her novels, "The Mystery of the Haunted Pool" and "The Mystery of the Hidden Hand," winning Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Juvenile novel. In 1988, Whitney was given the Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement by the MWA. She passed away in 2008 at the remarkable age of 104, leaving behind a legacy as a prolific and talented writer who continues to inspire both writers and readers to this day.