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Which Phyllis Whitney book did you read?

I read Woman Without a Past This was the first book of hers that I'd read. I'll post a synopsis inside the first reply. While the book was easy reading and very well written, it was a little too "cozyish" for my taste, but would work well on vacation, I guess. The author was certainly prolific! I can't even remember how many books she wrote in her long, and I hope happy, life!

posted by barbincolorado

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About Woman Without a Past...

WOMAN WITHOUT A PAST takes place in Charleston, South Carolina, where the heroine of the book, Molly Hunt, finds out about her past. Molly was given away for adoption as an infant, and has only known her adoptive parents. However, sheer chance brings her into contact with the man who is about to marry her twin sister, whom she never knew to exist. Filled with doubt, Molly follows Charles Landry to South Carolina to meet the family she never knew.
As the story progresses, Molly learns about her biological family, and finds that there are some deep secrets that may have eventually led to her adoption years ago. The big shocking secret is that her adoption may have been a result of a kidnapping, and for some reason the family seems to know about the crime but refuses to shed light on it.

As she learns about these family secrets, her life starts to take a turn for the worse, as she finds herself in danger and a target for murder.

posted by barbincolorado
5 months ago

I read The Golden Unicorn [1976] - somewhat similar plot. Courtney Marsh is a successful writer, adopted, who goes in search of her roots to find mystery, danger, etc. as she discovers she is a member of a wealthy introverted Long Island family-with-a-secret. This is sort of Gothic Cozy; I like cozies but had not read Whitney before for some reason [maybe because of her rep as a romance writer -- I am not fond of romances]. Glad I read it, but probably will not read any more, I think it must be an acquired taste.

posted by ozarkreader
5 months ago

I recently finished Feather on the Moon. It too has a similar plot about a three year old kidnapped from a grocery store. This is the only Phyllis Whitney book I have read. I wonder if all her plots are about the same.

posted by BigE007
5 months ago

I also read Feather on the Moon which was written in 1988 when she was 85 yrs old... that in itself is remarkable...

She went on to write 7 more books after that... her last one being published in 1997 when she was 94... WOW

Along the way she had written over 75 books... I just counted them on 'fantastic fiction'

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As for the book itself, it was very predictable... but an enjoyable story nonetheless... the writing style was so reminescent of all those romance novels I read as a young wife and mother years ago... almost gothic, it reminded me a lot of Daphne DuMaurier's books which I devoured back then.

It also made me aware of just how much writing styles have changed in the last 20 years...

posted by carci
5 months ago

Feather on the Moon was the one I chose to read. I remember reading her when I was a teenager and I do think all her books follow a similar pattern. Boy, my choice in books have changed. I don't know if there is any books being published now that is along the same lines. Not much of a mystery, maybe you would call it a romance and I don't read those. I found her books only in the large print and I gather that it is the older set of readers that read her. Notice I don't include myself, Ha! I do have to say that her description of British Columbia was so accurate that I felt I was back there. Mary

posted by mongomjal
5 months ago

LOL, well, it's interesting to see that we all who posted in this thread have pretty much the same thought on Ms Whitney. And still she wrote so many books for so many years. Brings to mind authors like Danielle Steel, and others who write the romance/tinge of mystery stuff. There is apparently a huge fan base for stuff like that, and more power to them.

As somebody here said, reading her book made me think how much writing has changed...

posted by barbincolorado
5 months ago

I got one of her books from the library and took it back after a few pages. The title was something about an Orchid. I don't like romance novels (but I think it is great that other people do.)and this was just too much of a romance novel to me. The thing I like best about romance novels is the "I can't believe it's not butter" guy. (LOL) I read a Nora Roberts book recently and that's all the Romance I can stomach for this year. LOL

I even tried to skip through the book and just couldn't get into it.

posted by grammiesue
5 months ago

I read Ebony Swan and it too had a similar plot. I too remember reading Whitney from YEARS ago and while they can get predictable I have forgotten how descriptive her books can be. I can picture the places & people so clearly.
I've got to remember & maybe just re-visit a book of hers now & again. Even tho' she may be dealing with mayhem & death there is still an enjoyable aspect to her stories.

posted by tnbopeep
5 months ago

I read Daughters of the Stars. A very good book about Lacey finding about her family after years of not knowing anything about them or her past. A fast read.