Mystery of the Hidden Hand

by Phyllis A. Whitney

While on vacation with her family Gale thought everything was perfect until she finds a tile and ballet slippers hidden in a box.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

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 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and quick read.

This story was aimed towards young adults so it only had a few of the themes that Whitney was known for.

But it did have a high suspense level that drew me in right away.

[Allegra]

Phyllis A. Whitney, grande dam of gothic fiction, died today at the age of 104. She sounds cool, look her up. "She argued that female writers of detective stories that featured chaste romance failed to get the credit they deserved...'The girls in my books are out solving their own problems," Whitney told Parade magazine in 1975. "They've always been women's libbers because . . . I've always done what I wanted to do.'"

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gale Tyler is twelve years old and having an adventure of a lifetime on the Greek isle of Rhodes. She, her mother, and brother Wareen are staying with her mother's family while her American father takes care of diplomatic business in Athens. The ancient ruins and beautiful scenery should be exciting enough--but when she and Warren surprise a mysterious figure in a black cape jumping around the suppedly empty fourth floor of the the family's hotel an exciting mystery opens up. Who is the the person in black and why are they leaping about? Why has someone hidden broken pieces of pottery in a box in that fourth floor room? Who is Geneva Lambrou and what is behind her apparent need for revenge? And why is someone in a nearby house signaling with a mirror. Gale's curiosity leads her to a family secret that could bring disgrace to her newly found "Grandfather" Thanos and she and Warren find themselves helping their Greek cousins to clear up the family mystery.

A pleasant little read--but not nearly as mysterious as one is led to believe. Basically, the whole thing could be cleared up if the members of the Greek side of the family would just talk to one another. But misunderstandings and pride get in the way (as is often the case) and so it takes Gale, family--but not directly involved, to show them the way to make everything right. It's interesting how all of these older family members are willing to be instructed by the youngest among them...

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[T J · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Phyllis Whitney has woven a tale of mystery and intrigue. This one set in the Greek Isles where Gale and her brother Warren are drawn into their cousins troubles. Why does the mysterious lady have to do with it all? Whitney's young adult mysteries are always a fun read for all ages.

[Nash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't have the paerback version, though, The copy I have is fro like the 60's or 70's Hardcover yellow book... It used to be my grandpa's and it has "WITHDRAWN" stamped all over the inside in the front and back... and a stamp from some library... in fact it WAS a library book... :) cool!

[Harley Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mystery, but too much clutter with irrelevant details especially at the end.

[Ruby J · Rating 4 out of 5]

a cute sweet old mystery

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed that this isn't really a mystery; not only is there no murder, no particularly dangerous crime, but some of the protagonists know what's going on all along. The only mystery is that some of their motives are secret to the main protagonist, young Gale Tyler. Gale even helps one of them deceive her brother when she starts to find out what's going on. Nevertheless, the novel was quite readable and interesting from another standpoint: It got me to look up the Greek island Rhodes on GoogleEarth and wikipedia, and learn about some of the fascinating artifacts that comprise the setting of the book. If you're not expecting a mystery, you might enjoy the book on other levels.