Mystery of the Strange Traveler

by Phyllis A. Whitney

When imaginative Laurie, and her sister, Celia, stay with Aunt Serena on Staten Island, New York; a dreary house fascinates them. Celia is interested in discovering why Norman, its boy resident, is unfriendly; Laurie wants to know all about the phantom stagecoach, which is said to draw up to that house on rainy nights.* NOTE ABOUT DERIVING Fantastic Fiction is a wonderful website but is not foolproof and has made many errors with Ms. Whitney's classic oeuvres. My own copy declares 1949 as the year of publication . *

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction

172 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

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

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 5 out of 5]

I treat myself to Phyllis A. Whitney sporadically, because she has passed but often, because she bestowed us oeuvres spanning 1940 to 1997! Her adult mysteries can be found at any garage sale but her children’s mysteries have been hard to come by since the 1980s; a puzzle because they are exceptionally good. To occasionally find one is a triumph. To walk into a shelf of them recently, fifteen of them, was mind-boggling! With awe, I bring readers my review of “Mystery Of The Strange Traveler” from 1949; merely nine years after this Grand Master Of Fiction began immortalizing her words!

The plot is far more exciting than we expect and this novel is pleasurable all the way through. I thought these sisters might ponder an odd character on a trip but the mystery courses much more deeply than that: a ninety year-old void! They settle in quickly to their aunt’s house for a year and ponder a onetime emergency visitor of their neighbour’s. No one knew the ailing woman’s name who in death, left a daughter with them. I consider old mysteries infinitely more satisfying to delve into and solve than present day mishaps and I certainly prefer real puzzles like this, to a novel seeking justice for a crime. Those are cookie-cutter plots that try too hard to create intrigue by being undesirable or startling. A real mystery exudes genuine mysteriousness, with endless storyline fodder that is properly relatable to ordinary people.

It was a complete pleasure that no sense of danger was needlessly fabricated by having villains running amok. Laurie and Celia wonder why their neighbour’s boy is solitary and his Grandpa, closed and unyielding. The ladies’ persistence in acquainting them is fun and showed gumption! This mystery was solved intelligently. Every character was layered and likeable.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My copy is copyright 1974. I was wondering why some things were so dated in it. No one in the 70s enjoyed radio shows, or wore poodle skirts. At the end they talk about the rag man pulling a wagon. I find the original date is 1949!
This book is suitable for tweens.
So, I remember that I did read this book at least a couple of times in the 70s. I couldn't remember ANYTHING about it (which is a bad sign).
Laurie & her sister come to Staten Island to stay with their Aunt when their parents take a trip out of the country. There's a mysterious house with an unfriendly man next door. Laurie makes friends with his grandson & they try to figure out a mystery. Which is completely boring.
To put the icing on the dull, dry cake, we get "let's put on a show!" Holy cow!
I can't recommend. I don't know why I ever kept it.

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished this days ago. Found the first half pretty interesting and enjoyed the story. However I felt the last half dragged quite a bit and there seemed to be alot of filler dialogue which did nothing to forward the story.

I find this author hit or miss, both in her young adult books or gothics. I actually think I donated a bunch of them to the library for this very reason.

[Joanna Warrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Coronavirus outbreak began ramping up I began gathering up all the Phyllis Whitney Young Adult novels I could find. I read several from the library as a kid and always enjoyed them when I stumbled across them as a grownup. So now so have my little collection (with more coming in the mail) and a LOT of time to read. Whitney has very realistic young characters with good mysteries. I enjoyed this one set on Staten Island.

[Louie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and enjoyable, but it could definitely benefit from an update as some of the terms used are not exactly politically correct.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a little boring as it went on. But this is the first book of this kind I’ve read where the young main character who dreams of being an author realizes (with some prodding) that she doesn’t actually enjoy writing!

[James Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and it is another wonderful Phyllis A. Whitney book. Originally titled "The Island of Dark Woods." I'm in the process of re-reading all the Phyllis A. Whitney books and I am never disappointed. (Almost all of them are available at my local library through Interlibrary Loans.)

This book is considered Juvenile Fiction because the main characters are teenagers, but it is good for anyone who just wants an interesting story and a good clean read. I love the fact that she deals with character development, personal growth, and career plans. The protagonist is continually dealing with the issue of "What should I do in this situation?"

I wish I had been reading these wonderful books when I was a teenager, instead of Henry Miller and James Joyce and others recommended by my English teacher. My life would have been different!

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Certainly better than the other juvenile mystery of hers I just reread, but surprisingly bland. The mystery almost felt like an afterthought, tacked on to get more people to read the book than might read a just kind of slice of life thing.

I also have serious doubts about either the clue that was vital to figuring out the mystery Alma and Alamo sound alike? Really? and that the mystery couldn't have been solved much sooner. Though I suppose the found letter was more necessary. I don't know. It just seemed sort of flat. Welp, time to solve the mystery now. Meh.