Silverhill

by Phyllis A. Whitney

A woman risks her life to piece together the puzzling past of her estranged New England family.   After decades away, Malinda Rice returns to the New Hampshire estate of Silverhill to make sure her departed mother is buried in her rightful place in the family plot. Still carrying the scars of her past, she’s determined to solve the mysteries behind the bad blood that has divided her family. But, like old memories, Malinda is not welcome at Silverhill.   She faces her embittered grandmother, a manipulative tyrant to be feared and never crossed. And her disturbed aunt is lost in a fantasy world, desperate to be rescued. Malinda finds solace with the handsome family doctor, whom she discovers is the only person she can trust, however guarded. The secrets in this deceptive hall of mirrors run deeper and darker than she imagined. Now, while seeking the truth in a mansion haunted by lies, twisted memories, and ruined lives, she must also fight for her sanity—and her life.

Genres: Mystery, Gothic, Romance, Gothic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Fiction, Suspense

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

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

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another five star very suspenseful Gothic story by Phyllis A. Whitney.

[Brian James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining if not altogether well-crafted, Silverhill follows a young woman's return to the matriarchal home of her grandmother after the death of her mother, who had been estranged from the family. Silverhill is the name of the family's expansive New Hampshire estate and setting takes center stage in the story. Phyllis Whitney excels in her descriptions of the odd, almost medieval home. The lives of the characters are intertwined with the place. They are as emotionally twisted and confined as the house itself. The problem with the book however is the characters themselves. With the exception of the stoic grandmother, the rest of the cast feels very artificial and behave in ways suitable for the story instead of following a natural course of characterization. In addition, there is also a constant stream of repetition as the main character continually reminds the reader of the same basic plot points, a device that is simply unnecessary being the that story isn't at all complicated or hard to follow. All in all, the novel contains some nice elements but ultimately fails to deliver a moving story.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of this author's best. It started out pretty slow, and took almost half the book to become interesting. The family itself was pretty nasty, and the mysteries they were trying to cover up weren't that hard to guess. At least the book was short.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was suspenseful and fast paced. Something special about this book is that the copy I own was my grandmother's. Her signature is in it!

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about how secrets and others controlling you can twist you into very strange personalities. Unbalanced. Then add a lot of money into that mix with an old woman who is leaving a will - you end up with a dynamite situation. And poor Malinda walks right into that nightmare house called Silverhill.

I really can't say why this hasn't been read more. Its quite the creepy gothic story with deep family secrets, a huge collection of suspicious characters who have their own schemes, legends about the woods of silver birch right outside the house (and for unknown reasons Melinda is scared of those trees) and yes there is a murderer in the house! Plus Malinda has gone there to finally learn the truth of what had happened to her when she had visited the house many years ago when she had been only 4-years-old and why that visit had left a huge unsightly scar on her face. Her mother refused to tell her the truth.

But now her mother is dead and Malinda has returned to Silverhill - to a very cold welcome. Her grandmother, Julia, rules the house with an iron fist. Everyone has to listen to her. And Julia doesn't want Malinda around.

But Malinda has also come because of a dying request from her mother: to help her poor Aunt Fritzie (her mother's sister). But Fritzie has a lot of problems. And Malinda is not allowed to see her.

So I found this story to be well written. There were so many suspects living in that house I didn't guess who the killer was. And the house itself is definitely a character too. Its well described, both the area where Malinda is supposed to stay and then there was the other area - where her aunt was kept. Quite the shock when I read that part. And Melinda does a lot of snooping in here. She is quite bold and she has that independent streak, willing to brashly stand up for what she thinks is right. Because she doesn't like what she sees going on in that house. Its a very dark place. And too many people have been twisted.

And in one scene she very literally shrieks in terror. And yes scary things happen in here too.

But do you know which character really steals the book? Is Aunt Fritzie!! What a personality!! She really comes to life and lightens the whole entire story while at the same time she is living in a nightmare. I truly loved the scenes with her, especially the one where we first meet her.

Many of the lesser characters do not really stand out too much but we do get a sense of who they are.

And the scene when Malinda first goes to see Aunt Fritzie, the description of that part of the house, truly shocked me.

A great story!!

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough Whitney novel, even though not her best by far. The pacing was good, as things happen quickly over the course of a couple days or so, but the mystery is lacking in any real suspense. Likewise, there are no instances of "terror," or where the reader feels spooked or uneasy by what is happening. Still worth a 2.5 rounded up for this short novel of (somewhat) suspense.

[Andria Potter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. The writing was fine but it's not my favorite by this author. The story felt really half-hearted and forced. Ah well. Onto the next book!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun, suspenseful mystery! Another great twist at the end that I didn't see coming. I thought that I may have this one figured out, but I didn't! That makes it so much fun!

[Sheri Vasconcellos Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a hidden gem. Short and sweet a family drama filled with secerts. Lots of twists. Creatively written

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 for me, but I will probably give it a 4 star rating. It kept me guessing till the end but, for some reason, which I can't explain, it was missing something.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

With "Silverhill," Phyllis A. Whitney repurposed some of the elements that had already made her earlier romantic suspense novels hits. A young woman discovers the ancestral home from which she has been exiled ("Sea Jade," "Thunder Heights," "Trembling Hills") and experiences hostilities, if not outright cruelty from the relatives whose lives will be disrupted by her arrival (again, "Thunder Heights" and in particular, "Sea Jade"). Charged with a task by her dead mother, spirited Malinda James takes on her autocratic grandmother Julia Gorham and becomes a disrupter and agent of change (see also "The Quicksilver Pool"). As was her wont, Whitney shades her characters a little more maturely than her counterparts/rivals (Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Velda Johnston), even if the romantic plots are never quite as convincingly done (Holt was the leader in this, thanks to sparring, witty dialogue). The novel is short, entertaining and if not that original, even within the author's own oeuvre, it's well-written and its evocation of mental illness and obsession is compelling.

[Christine Honsinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugh...very disappointed...I wish Whitney's books came with a cornball rating on the cover...this one would have rated highly, I'm afraid. I loved Window on the Square and Sea Jade, both historical novels of hers in addition to being Gothic suspense. It might be I do not like her "modern" novels (1960's- 1990's) They seem so corny and predictable. The drama is so contrived. Just didn't like this one, but I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 for it's creepy "gallery of mirrors" and "conservatory of strange ugly horrific plants and yellow birds"...at least these gothic-y settings were original!

[Tobie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love books set in New England because I am a proud New Englander. This book is set in my home state of New Hampshire in an area where I spent much of my youth. The title comes from the Birch trees on the property where the story takes place. Birch is my favorite tree. I enjoyed this book mostly for the setting. The story was okay except the protagonist keeps doubting herself and it drives me nuts when writers do that to their characters. {Insert raspberry.} Just shut up and figure out the mystery, would you, please. Sorry about the rant.

[Lyssa Sue Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first romantic mysteries I ever read, borrowed from my mother in the late '60's. I readily confess the genre & the author were instantlly addictive.

The pacing, the storyline, the characters all worked AND they all worked together. A perfect introductory read to the varied worlds of Phyllis A Whitney. I've gone on to read every book released in paperback over the years.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the day Malinda Rice first comes to Silverhill -- her mother's home -- her hope turns to fear. But she will not run. For the beauty of Silverhill's setting hides more than one family's secrets. And Malinda must fight for both her sanity and her life before she discovers the full, horrifying truth about the past evil and present terrors that may engulf her....

[Evelyn Burke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book from several decades ago and did seem a bit dated. It reminded me a lot of books I read in the early sixties. I saw the author compared with Mary Stewart...I thought of Daphne DuMaurier.
I found the storyline and characters interesting enough to follow...I think it had a sort of gothic appeal. Occasionally I imagined what the book would be like if it were made into a movie.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably a favorite Phyllis Whitney for me. It also was for Grandma Mary Lou. She read this book 6 times (she would write the dates on the first page of the book). It was a good mystery that didn't come clear to me until the last pages, which I enjoy.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this book--a perfect summer read. My mom turned me on to Phyllis Whitney last summer, now I'm collecting her books in hard cover to enhance my collection of female mystery stories.

[Cws]

F Whi

[Amytha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good contemporary gothic from 60's. (1967)

[JaNise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! The plot twists and turns with a surprise ending. I love it when I continually try and guess whodoneit and I'm wrong every time. :)

[Ralynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book kept you guessing when you thought you had things figured out then some new info would come and you would have to rethink everything.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a very good book. Made me want to keep reading. Very good story with a few twists.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silverhill is an interesting twisting story. Wow, what a disfunctional family!

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this gothic novel. Great story with a few twists.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

i was in a book slump for most of this, but i did enjoy it, and i didn't guess the end until i was supposed to!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of my favorites, great, keeps you guessing, twist at end

[Jeremie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book ‘Silverhill’ by, Phyllis A. Whitney is about a teenage girl named Malinda (Mallie) Rice returning to Silverhill after her mother’s death to face her fears and unravel her family’s secrets. Silverhill was her mother’s hometown where evil events from the past mirror onto the Rice family. Horrific truths are discovered about her Aunt Fritzie and the destroyed sanity of her Aunt Arvilla. As Mallie moves throughout her difficult times with her own family, she learns about her dark past and how everything came to be.
I think that this book was rather boring, in my opinion, and only some chapters really caught my attention. I noticed that some events seemed to reoccur for more than two chapters and they eventually became uninteresting. This book was not appealing to my preferred genre, romance, and for this reason, I didn’t enjoy it as much. I was not a big fan either on how the story played out and how the ending was a bit unclear which left me feeling uneasy. I think people who are into mystery would really enjoy this book because there is a lot of suspense and gets you to think about what will happen next. It does have an encouraging tone that leads the reader further into the story (if you really like mysteries).

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mallie Rice has been given the commission by her mother to tell her mentally ill aunt Fritzie the truth-that she was not responsible for her father's death. After burying her mother, Mallie descends onto the old family ancestral home dead set on revealing the truth. No one wants her there. There's a much bigger secret everyone wants to hide. Mallie`s grandmother (and someone else?) is desperately afraid that once Fritzie starts remembering the past, other hidden secrets will be revealed, as well.

I pretty much enjoyed all of the characters except for Mallie's love interest-Dr. Wayne Martin. I understand that the view and treatment of mental illness is much different now than what it was in the 50`s and 60's, but his bedside manner was unsympathetic and uncharitable. I don't understand why Mallie would be attracted to him just because he was nice to her when she was kid.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous! I love the characters and it is definitely suspenseful. The author made the perfect choice of narrators. Mallie is strong, curious, independent, and just what her family need though they don’t know it at first. I personally felt very connected to Mallie and I found her thoughts and reactions very human. So much humanity in this book. Notice how the author beautifully foreshadows events and creates stunning ironies. Note, however, that this is not a sunshine and daisies story-it is gritty and painful at times and even the “happy” ending has tears. I want to find more by this author. A good read.