When I was a child, my family lived in a rural area that didn’t have much in the way of entertainment. Mind you swinging off a steel cable bolted to a tree from a very large hill and riding my bike off homemade ramps was fun, but the thing I loved most was summer reading from the Bookmobile. It would park at the church every two weeks all summer long. My sisters and I couldn’t wait for it to appear. We were each allowed to borrow six books for the two-week period, which wasn’t nearly enough. My sisters would run to the romance section. Not me. I went for the mysteries. They have always been my go-to reading genre.
Probably from the time I was 12 to 15 or so, I avidly read every book by Phyllis A. Whitney I could get my hands on during the summer months. She was one of my favorite authors. She has written many books for young readers and adults alike. Reading her books was like being able to travel the world without leaving my room. Adding mystery, murder and mayhem to the mix made it all the more exciting. I spent many happy hours whiling the summers away helping her solve mysteries in exotic places. I loved her books so much! If you’ve never read any of her books, please do. They are wonderful!
Phillis passed away on February 8, 2008 at the age of 104. She led a wonderfully colorful life while she traveled the world gathering background information for her many fantastic books. Rest in peace dear Ms. Whitney with the knowledge that you gave me and many others countless hours of reading pleasure. I will fondly remember you always.
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